Ohio State Gets Great News From Ex-USC Commit

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated May 16, 2025 7:23 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes are aiming to add another linebacker to their 2026 recruiting class. Ohio State could do that with one of the top linebackers in the class.

Rivals' Sam Spiegelman reported Friday that five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin will visit the Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio during the final weekend of May. Griffin will also see the Alabama Crimson Tide, Texas Longhorns and Florida State Seminoles in June.

Griffin is scheduled to visit those four schools after de-commiting from the USC Trojans this week.

"Griffin, Rivals' No. 2-rated linebacker, backed off his longtime verbal commitment to USC this week and has four official visits lined up beginning at the end of the month with a trip back to Columbus," wrote Spiegelman.

The linebacker told Spiegelman he will make his final college decision before the beginning of his last high school season.

"They're very important," Griffin said. "I want to have my final decision before my season starts. It's really important to take it all in right now."

Fresh off of backing off his USC commitment, blue-chip LB Xavier Griffin has reset the board. Texas and Ohio State have come on the strongest with Griffin, who aims to have a decision made before his senior season.

"It's really important to take it all in right now."

More from… pic.twitter.com/q9Swl8SaFw
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) May 16, 2025

Griffin previously visited Ohio State but nearly two years ago when he was a sophomore in high school.

Since then, the Buckeyes hired new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and moved James Laurinaitis into the linebackers coach role.

"They had it different ... I didn't see myself fitting into their scheme, but I've been talking with the new defensive coordinator they have and with Coach Laurinaitus, and I see myself fitting in there more than I did before," Griffin told Spiegelman. "I've always liked the school. That was the only part missing."

The 247 Sports composite rankings have Griffin rated as the No. 2 linebacker and 27th overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.

The lone linebacker the Buckeyes currently have committed in the 2026 class is 3-star recruit CJ Sanna.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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