The Hurry-Up: Georgia 2026 Linebacker Xavier Griffin Loved His Visit to Ohio State Last Weekend, Four-star 2025 DE Zion Grady Sets OSU Visit for May

By Garrick Hodge on April 17, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Xavier Griffin
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In January, linebackers coach James Laurinaitis offered a fast-rising linebacker prospect in the 2026 class in Xavier Griffin.

Griffin made his first visit to Columbus last week for the Buckeyes’ spring game and relished his experience on campus.

“I absolutely loved my visit to Ohio State and can’t wait to get back up there,” Griffin told Eleven Warriors. “All the coaches were just down to earth and cool to talk to.” 

While on his trip, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Griffin spoke with Ryan Day, Laurinaitis and director of player personnel Sam Petitto. 

“Coach Day, coach Laurinaitis, and coach Petitto all had the same message, they love my game and my athleticism and wouldn’t change me on defense,” Griffin said. “They just want to continue to develop me and get me to that elite status. The fan base was crazy for the spring game with more than 80,000 fans in attendance.

Griffin doesn’t hold a 247Sports composite ranking yet, but has earned 20 Division I offers. Other schools that have offered the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Griffin include Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Duke, Appalachian State, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Mizzou, Notre Dame, UAB, USF, USC, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. 

Griffin helped lead Gainesville High School (Gainesville, Georgia) to a 12-1 record in his sophomore year. He racked up 52 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, nine sacks, seven quarterback hurries, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

Zion Grady locks in Ohio State visit May 3-5

A top-60 prospect in the 2025 class has locked in a visit to Ohio State’s campus for next month. Four-star Alabama defensive end Zion Grady announced Tuesday he’ll take a trip to Columbus from May 3-5.

Grady, considered the No. 56 recruit and the No. 4 edge prospect per 247Sports’ composite rankings, is a former Alabama commit but decommitted in January following Nick Saban’s retirement. Larry Johnson offered Grady in February. 

Ohio State is likely a longshot to win Grady’s recruitment, but the Alabama resident wouldn’t be visiting Columbus if there wasn’t at least some interest in the Buckeyes on his end. The trip will be an opportunity for both Johnson and Grady to expand their relationship and the Buckeyes to put on a full-court press for the highly-touted prospect.

Byron Louis locks in official visit with the Buckeyes

An Ohio State running back target in the 2025 class has locked in an official visit to Columbus. Four-star Florida running back Byron Louis will visit OSU from June 14-16 as he continues to have a vested interest in the Buckeyes.

Louis visited Ohio State last week to get to know new running backs coach Carlos Locklyn. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Louis told 247Sports the visit was a success. 

"Coach Locklyn is very down to earth and cool," Louis said. "We hit it off really well. I quickly picked up on how intentional he is about all the details and how his knowledge and passion for the game was so valuable. The biggest thing that stood out from the visit was that Ohio State is ready to compete on all levels. They are working very hard and I can see why they are considered elite.”

Ryan Montgomery commits to Georgia

A former Ohio State quarterback target and in-state prospect has made his college decision. Four-star 2025 signal caller Ryan Montgomery, the younger brother of OSU offensive lineman Luke Montgomery, committed to Georgia on Wednesday, picking the Bulldogs over Florida and South Carolina. 

Ohio State offered Montgomery when he was just a freshman, but became very impressed with the growth of fellow in-state quarterback Tavien St. Clair last summer and went all out for the Bellefontaine product. St. Clair and Montgomery have maintained a friendship throughout the recruiting process, with the former congratulating the latter on Wednesday.

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