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5-star LB Xavier Griffin takes official visit to Ohio State

hunterby: Hunter Shelton06/01/25HunterShelton_

Gainesville (Ga.) five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin decommitted from USC on May 14. He’s now set to make another commitment on June 29, choosing between four schools.

Ohio State is a finalist for the Peach State standout. The Buckeyes got Griffin on campus for an official visit this weekend. Touted LBs coach James Laurinaitis was among those chopping it up with the top prospect in Columbus:

Griffin is also considering Alabama, Florida State and Texas. He’ll take OVs to all three schools across the next couple of weeks in the lead-up to his summer decision. Alabama is now trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, but OSU got its in-person shot to make a splash first.

Previewing the OV to Columbus, Ohio State insider Alex Gleitman noted on ‘The Inside Scoop’ that Laurinaitis has been building a relationship with Griffin. The Big Ten program is certainly a legitimate contender in Griffin’s recruitment.

“I think this once was a little surprising to see Ohio State mentioned for the national audience, but James Laurinaitis has been doing a lot of work behind the scenes to try and get Ohio State into this one,” Gleitman told On3’s Josh Newberg.

Griffin is the No. 28 overall prospect and No. 2 LB in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 3 player in Georgia.

The Buckeyes had multiple elite targets in town this weekend, including five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo and five-star running back Savion Hiter. Griffin was surrounded by top talent during his time in Ohio.

Ohio State pushing for another No. 1 class

To date, the Buckeyes have 13 commits in their 2026 class that ranks No. 3 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Four top-100 prospects are in the mix, including a pair of five-stars.

Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. has shut down his recruitment, locking in a pledge that originally went public on July 28, 2023. He is now the No. 24 overall prospect and No. 3 wideout this cycle.

Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic five-star safety Blaine Bradford announced a surprise commitment on March 31 and now sits atop the class alongside Henry Jr. as the No. 30 prospect and No. 4 safety. Bradford is one of four blue-chip defensive backs in the class, alongside Jacksonville Bolles four-star safety Simeon Caldwell, Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic four-star cornerback Jordan Thomas and Avon (Ohio) four-star safety Jakob Weatherspoon.

Henry Jr. was joined by his Mater Dei teammate and four-star WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt on May 4. He’s the No. 12 WR in the nation and is one of four receivers in the fold overall. Pataskala (Ohio) Watkins Memorial four-star Jaeden Ricketts and Southlake (Texas) Carroll four-star Brock Boyd are also committed.

Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban four-star offensive tackle Sam Greer is a top-100 prospect and one of three O-linemen in the class. Avon Lake (Ohio) four-star IOL Max Riley is the No. 6 IOL in the cycle.

Other commits in the class include Lewis Center (Ohio) Olentangy four-star linebacker CJ Sanna, Jacksonville Bolles three-star tight end Corbyn Fordham and Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor three-star IOL Tucker Smith.