Alabama freshman gets massive endorsement from DC Kane Wommack

There's been a lot of buzz in this preseason for Alabama Crimson Tide freshman linebacker Xavier Griffin.

It makes sense, too. Griffin was ranked as the No. 1 linebacker in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports, and he already looks like an upperclassman at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds.

There's a world in which Griffin plays and plays a lot as a freshman for Alabama, but he's not the only young player who is impressing in fall camp.

Kane Wommack praises Alabama freshman Jireh Edwards

Earlier this week, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack called out freshman defensive back Jireh Edwards in a good way. He could end up making some big plays at safety for the Tide in 2026.

“Jireh’s one of the most instinctive playmakers I’ve ever seen coming out of high school,” Wommack said, via Roll 'Bama Roll. “Very physical. He’s got phenomenal tracking of the ball. His blitz IQ and awareness is really high, and so he can create production out of that package as well. Really, for him, it’s about putting the whole thing together.”

It sounds like Griffin just needs some time to catch up to the speed of the college game, but he does have great size himself at 6-foot-2, 218 pounds, and he was a big-time playmaker at the high school level.

As a senior for Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia, Griffin notched 78 tackles (12.0 tackles for loss) and four sacks. He was also an all-region player in basketball, so he's without a doubt a great athlete.

Griffin was also an accomplished recruit in his own right, ranked as a five-star and as the No. 2 safety in the 2026 class.

While Griffin will get playing time, Alabama's safety room should revolve around Bray Hubbard, who was a second-team All-American last season, as well as fifth-year senior Keon Sabb.