When Kalen DeBoer compares a future player to a $14 million NFL talent, it’s a big deal not only for the player but for his family, too. That’s exactly the emotion Xavier Griffin’s mother is feeling, as the highly-touted linebacker is set to join the Alabama Crimson Tide in the upcoming season.

“Seeing my son run out of that tunnel for the first time, I will be even more excited to see him touch the field for the first time!! Such a surreal moment,” Gainesville’s LB Xavier Griffin’s mother, Jay Clay, wrote in a heartwarming post on X.

Like his mother, Xavier Griffin is also looking ahead, aiming to make an early impact as a do-it-all defender for Alabama. He wants to rush opposing teams’ quarterbacks, but also wants to drop back and make tackles like a regular linebacker. To make it, he is constantly studying films of players like Reuben Foster and Will Anderson Jr.’s careers.

Griffin brings in elite size with his 6’3”, 205-pound frame, and his production justifies the surrounding hype. He recorded 43 tackles and six sacks during his 2024 season despite missing with injury. He also played basketball and scored 34 points in one game, but his heart always stayed with football.

He has taken multiple visits to Alabama since June last year, and the feeling of being at home got him into the program. Growing up in Huntsville, he was surrounded by Alabama’s culture, and that home feel forced him to make his move to Bama.

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“It kind of reminds me of home,” Griffin said. “There aren’t too many distractions… It’s a peaceful city, not too much going on but not completely dead either.”

His mother has been an all-time Alabama supporter herself, and the moment Griffin switched his commitment from USC to Alabama, she made her feelings clear on the move.

“To be honest, I had to put my fandemonium to the side. As big of an Alabama fan as I am and was, I’m an even bigger Xavier Griffin fan,” Clay said. “Now that he’s committed, I can go all out and buy all the gear I want. I’ve been holding out for the last two years.”

What solidifies his decision is Alabama’s detailed plan to develop him into a star linebacker upon his arrival.

“They’re telling me they want me to play what Jihad played—being that versatile linebacker, playing on the edge on third downs, still blitzing and moving around, and playing regular backer. Just being that versatile player,” Griffin said.

Their NFL pipeline also adds up to the decision, as they have sent in top linebackers like Ronaldo McClain, Dont’a Hightower, C.J. Mosley, Rashaan Evans, and most recently, Jihaad Campbell. Interestingly, Kalen DeBoer feels that Griffin’s skills and caliber match exactly with his.

Kalen DeBoer praises his future linebacker

Kalen DeBoer compared his skills to former Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who just signed a four-year deal worth $14 million with the Eagles. He recorded 186 tackles, 5.5 sacks, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions in his three seasons. Now, if Griffin matches Campbell’s level, fans can expect an elite defender on Alabama’s team.

“X [Xavier Griffin] is a guy who’s a flex guy. I really see him as like a Jihaad Campbell,” DeBoer said. “He’s got some length, and he’s gonna out on some good weight, and be versatile enough to go play on the edge and not have to necessarily sub in when you want to put him in spots to go get after the quarterback. Can’t wait to have our defensive staff get their hands on him and let him go to work.”

Kalen DeBoer’s trust in him shows the kind of talent he holds; even his trust in Alabama is intact. Even after watching Alabama fall short in the College Football Playoff, Griffin’s commitment to the program remained unshaken. Griffin joins a promising defensive recruiting class that also includes cornerback Jamarion Matthews, as Alabama looks to boost its future defensive strength.

For now, Baba holds 26 recruiting commits in their early signing period, which is also a good sign of their momentum. With Griffin’s potential and DeBoer’s trust, all eyes will be on his arrival in Tuscaloosa to see if he can make an immediate impact.