Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian Secures Commitment from 5-Star Linebacker Xavier Griffin
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has achieved one of his biggest recruiting victories of the 2026 cycle, landing the verbal commitment of five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin, a hard-hitting, high-IQ defender from Gainesville High School in Georgia. Griffin’s decision to pledge his future to the Longhorns sends a resounding message across college football: Texas is not just back—they’re building something special. The commitment of Griffin, ranked as the No. 2 linebacker and No. 22 overall prospect in the 2026 class according to 247Sports Composite rankings, marks a defining moment in Sarkisian’s tenure and adds serious muscle to the defensive identity Texas is continuing to forge as it transitions deeper into the Southeastern Conference.
For months, Xavier Griffin had been one of the most closely-watched recruits in the country. After an initial commitment to USC in July 2024, Griffin reopened his recruitment in May 2025, creating an instant stir among top-tier programs nationwide. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker cited a desire to reevaluate his options, stating he wanted to find a program that could fully support his development both as an athlete and as a person. This decision effectively reset one of the most high-profile recruitments in the class, immediately putting programs like Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Florida State on high alert. And yet, in the end, it was Texas—quietly but effectively—who made the strongest and most convincing pitch.
Texas first entered the conversation in earnest during Griffin’s unofficial visit to Austin in April 2025. That trip proved to be the turning point in his recruitment. Griffin and his family spent significant time with the coaching staff, toured the facilities, observed practice, and got a feel for the culture Sarkisian and his staff have been building. It wasn’t just the flashy upgrades to the Longhorns’ athletic facilities or the growing list of NFL draft picks that turned Griffin’s head—it was the authentic relationships, the energy within the locker room, and the clarity of vision the staff laid out for his development.
Griffin walked away from that visit with a new perspective on Texas. While other schools had leaned on legacy, trophies, or NIL incentives, Texas had offered him a blueprint for becoming a complete player and person. Griffin later commented, “It felt real. It felt like family. They weren’t just telling me what I wanted to hear—they were honest about what I needed to do to reach the next level.” The visit allowed him to see himself in burnt orange and white, not just for three years, but for a legacy. That feeling lingered long after the trip ended, and over time, Texas began to separate itself from the pack.
What Texas offered Griffin went beyond just football. The coaching staff emphasized their player development model, especially under strength and conditioning coach Torre Becton and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. They discussed how Griffin could be utilized in the scheme—both as a traditional linebacker and an EDGE threat. His speed, lateral quickness, and elite anticipation made him an ideal fit for their hybrid packages, which often feature linebackers who can cover, blitz, and stuff the run all within the same possession. Griffin’s film showed everything Texas needed to know: 43 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and six sacks in just eight games of his junior season. He flies to the ball, disengages from blocks with ease, and has a motor that never quits. His intelligence and leadership on the field earned him the role of team captain as a junior, and those traits are just as important to Texas as his athletic profile.
Another crucial piece to the puzzle was EDGE coach LaAllan Clark, who took over primary responsibility for Griffin’s recruitment. Clark’s relentless communication, transparency, and focus on personal connection left a deep impression on the Griffin family. He didn’t treat Xavier like a five-star recruit who could be a marketing tool—he treated him like a young man with dreams, pressures, and limitless potential. Their bond became one of the key drivers behind Griffin’s eventual decision. From weekly phone calls to detailed breakdowns of Texas film, Clark made it clear that Griffin was not just a target—he was a priority.
When news broke that Griffin would take an official visit to Texas on June 13, it was seen by insiders as a make-or-break moment. The Longhorns, who had steadily built momentum over months, now had the opportunity to close. But instead of a desperate final pitch, the Longhorns simply reinforced everything they had already laid out. Sarkisian, always composed and confident, spoke to Griffin about legacy. About how Texas was changing. About what it would mean to be part of something foundational in the SEC. He reminded Griffin that the great players aren’t just remembered for what they do on Saturdays, but for the way they elevate everyone around them. The message hit home.
By the time Griffin left Austin after that official visit, the Longhorns knew they had done everything right. And in the days that followed, the whispers began to spread. Griffin had gone quiet on other schools. He wasn’t taking calls. And when the commitment finally came, Texas fans erupted in celebration.
Landing a five-star linebacker like Griffin isn’t just about adding star power—it’s about changing perception. For years, defensive recruits have gravitated toward the Georges and Alabamas of the world. Texas, historically known for offensive fireworks, has often played catch-up on the defensive side. But with Griffin’s commitment, the Longhorns are signaling that they are ready to recruit and develop elite defenders at the highest level.
This isn’t a fluke. Sarkisian has long preached a vision of balance, competitiveness, and championship DNA. In 2024 and 2025, that vision began to bear fruit as Texas finished with back-to-back top-five recruiting classes and produced NFL Draft picks on both sides of the ball. Now, with the 2026 class taking shape, Griffin becomes the cornerstone of the defensive haul—a player whose presence alone may encourage other top defenders to join the movement. Recruiting is contagious, especially when you land players with national profiles and strong peer influence. Griffin is one of those players who others follow.
His commitment also adds to the growing Texas pipeline in the Southeast. For years, Texas has been seen as a Lone Star state recruiting powerhouse. But in order to compete in the SEC, they’ve had to expand their reach. Getting a five-star out of Georgia—a state dominated by UGA and filled with top-flight talent—is no small feat. It’s a sign that Sarkisian and his staff can now walk into any living room in the country and go toe-to-toe with college football’s elite. The days of Texas being considered a regional power are over. They are building a national brand with the resources, coaching, and now the recruiting wins to back it up.
For Griffin, the decision to commit to Texas is the beginning of a journey, not the end. He’s focused on finishing his high school career strong, leading Gainesville back to a state title, and improving on an already impressive resume. He’s said to be working on his strength, adding muscle to better handle the physicality of SEC play, and he’s already studying Texas’s defensive schemes in preparation for his arrival. For a player who’s still just a junior, his level of preparation is elite.
His leadership has already started to manifest behind the scenes. Sources close to the Longhorns’ recruiting efforts say Griffin has begun to reach out to other top recruits, encouraging them to visit Texas and consider the bigger picture. He understands what it means to be a cornerstone commitment. He’s not just coming to Texas to play football—he’s coming to help change the narrative.
The commitment from Griffin could be the domino that starts a cascade of good news for Texas. Other highly-ranked defensive players are expected to announce decisions in the coming months, and several have mentioned their respect for Griffin and what his decision might mean for the direction of the class. When elite players start aligning their futures, it can create a gravitational pull that changes the dynamic of an entire cycle.
Steve Sarkisian has always been known as an offensive mind. But his ability to recruit, hire, and build trust on the defensive side of the ball is quickly becoming one of his defining traits. The commitment from Xavier Griffin isn’t just a feather in his cap—it’s a statement. A statement that Texas is no longer waiting for respect. They’re taking it. With Griffin in the fold, the Longhorns gain a generational talent at linebacker, a leader in the locker room, and a signal to the rest of the country that the future of defense in Austin is in good hands. And if this trend continues, the road to the SEC Championship may start to run through the Forty Acres.
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