Xavier Griffin is the highest-rated player in Alabama’s No. 4-ranked 2026 recruiting class, and though he’s not Travis Hunter, playing on both sides of the ball, the Crimson Tide will be getting plenty of bang for their buck with the five-star's ability to fill multiple roles on defense.
Throughout Griffin’s recruitment, he has been listed as an edge rusher and an off-ball linebacker by different outlets because he’s so effective at both positions. It was unclear which spot Griffin would fill for Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack until a recent interview with Justin Smith of Touchdown Alabama, when Griffin revealed that he’ll be playing both.