Xavier Griffin, a four-star linebacker who is ranked No. 29 and No. 3 among defenders, has officially decided he will no longer be going to USC. The news is a major blow to USC’s top-ranked class and reflects how recruiting is changing in college football nowadays.
Since signing with the Trojans in July 2024, Griffin had already become an important part of Riley’s 2026 group. Nevertheless, disagreements in policies with the USC program influenced his decision to leave the school.
Differences In Policy Spark Exit
The main reason Griffin left USC, according to ESPN, was USC’s rule against committed players going on official visits to other colleges. Taking visits to other campuses was important for Griffin, but this went against what the university allowed.
Instead of keeping his commitment, Griffin decided to open himself up to new recruitment. This decision lets him check out other prominent athletic teams and decide where he wants to attend, a sign of the importance being given to player independence in college sports.
Important Programs Factor into Decision-Making as Teams Can Recruit Again
Since his recruitment has opened up again, Griffin is planning to visit Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, and Texas. Having an athlete like Griffin would give these schools a significant boost in future recruiting and help improve their defense.
Springtime saw Griffin explore Florida State, Tennessee, and Texas for unofficial visits, reflecting his strong preference for these parts of the country.
Griffin’s Productivity and Stellar Play on the Field
At 6-foot-4 and weighing 205 pounds, Griffin adds top-notch size, speed, and instincts to the linebacker spot. While playing varsity football at Gainesville High School in Georgia, he amassed 97 tackles and 21 sacks, proving his ability to do many things on the field.
Due to his solid skills and consistent play, Nevaa has become one of the top defenders of his graduation year. When he goes on official visits, coaches will look for his ability to lead, along with top-notch football skills.
Impact on USC’s Recruiting Class
Griffin’s decision to leave leaves a significant hole in a recruiting class that has otherwise done well for USC. Of all schools, the Trojans continue to lead with 13 commitments in the ESPN 300, two of which are new five-star recruits Elbert Hill and Keenyi Pepe.
However, USC’s coaches may use this as an opportunity to see that they need to develop better policies so that top recruits who want more choice aren’t discouraged.
Altering Trends in College Football Recruiting
What Griffin did shows that recruits in college football now want more control over their futures. The NIL movement and easing of transfer regulations mean players now call more of the shots during the recruiting process.
If these programs stick to their ways, they could end up losing the top talent they had already won. If the current policy keeps conflicting with what high-level athletes want, USC might need to review it.
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What’s Next for Xavier Griffin?
Now that Griffin is back on the open market, big schools around the country are showing a lot of interest in him. His upcoming official trips will be closely watched by fans and experts, as he decides where he wants to go and get better as a player in the future.
With top-level skills, strong tools, and loads of room to improve, Griffin will most likely stay one of the most sought-after players for the 2026 class, and wherever he goes, he will make a big difference in how well that team plays defense.
