Longhorns lose another recruiting battle with SEC rival

The Longhorns thought they were in a good spot with 2026 five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin. The Gainesville, GA native decommitted from USC in May and took an official visit to Austin in June.

Austin-based recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman thought Texas would land the blue chipper. "It's down to Texas and Alabama with a June 26 commitment on the horizon," Spiegelman said. "No team has come on stronger with the four-star EDGE than the Longhorns. There's a sense Texas made another step forward with Griffin and his mother back in Austin this weekend."

But it was not to be. Over the weekend, versatile, 6-foot-4, 205-pound prospect committed to Alabama. Griffin is now the top-ranked prospect among 14 commits in Alabama's incoming class.

"Growing up, just seeing them, all the draft picks and stuff that they've had -- all the guys they've put in the league -- it speaks for itself," Griffin told ESPN. "They have history and they're really clear about what they're trying to build with this new staff."

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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Longhorns lose five-star recruiting target to Alabama