Alabama football is currently in a strong position to land elite 2026 linebacker , who recently backed off a long-time commitment to USC. Shortly after his decommitment, Alabama received a Crystal Ball prediction from a Georgia-based recruiting analyst and locked in an official visit with him for the weekend of June 6.
The Tide received more positive news on Friday. He was initially expected to visit Georgia unofficially this weekend, even though the Bulldogs weren’t among the four schools slated for his official visits. That trip, however, is no longer happening.
Griffin is a consensus five-star prospect in the 2026 class, ranked as the No. 2 linebacker and No. 27 overall player in the 247Sports composite rankings. He’s drawn comparisons to former Alabama linebacker and recent first-round NFL pick Jihaad Campbell. Given that, it’s no surprise Alabama has made him a top recruiting priority.
The Crimson Tide is targeting Griffin for the “Wolf” position in defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s scheme. However, like Campbell, he might begin his college career on the edge before potentially transitioning inside. Alabama’s recruiting pitch likely emphasizes a similar developmental path to Campbell’s.
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Campbell played inside linebacker on base downs but also took on pass-rushing duties as injuries mounted later in the season, showcasing his versatility and athleticism.
Alabama has already secured a commitment from five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds, the No. 2-ranked player in Georgia for the 2026 class, according to 247Sports. Griffin, ranked No. 1 in the state, could join him. If both sign with Alabama, Kalen DeBoer and his staff may end up pulling Georgia’s top two prospects away from Kirby Smart.
While Georgia is currently considered the front-runner for five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, Alabama remains a strong contender in his recruitment as well.
Although the Crimson Tide has prioritized in-state talent for the 2026 cycle, they continue to heavily recruit neighboring Georgia, a state that consistently produces top-tier prospects and has long been a rich recruiting ground for Alabama.
Nick Saban often outdueled Kirby Smart for top Georgia recruits, and early signs suggest DeBoer is proving just as effective in that arena.
