Meet Xavier Griffin! Xavier is a 6-4, 205-pound outside linebacker for Gainesville High School.

In July, Xavier committed to the University of Southern California (as a junior) and is the third-ranked, 4-star defensive end in the 2026 class, per ESPN rankings. 

So far, this season he has 9 tackles, 4 assists, 7 TFLs and 4 sacks. Last season, Griffin totaled 54 tackles for the Red Elephants with 15 sacks and two forced fumbles.

We want to thank Xavier for spending time with us recently and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County.

Question: Please tell us a little bit about your family.  

Answer: “My mom’s name is Jay. I live with my mom and my grandma, Leslie Adams. I have four brothers—two of them live in Alabama, one lives in New Orleans, and my little brother lives in Tampa.”

Q: What’s your favorite thing about living in Hall County?  

A: “I think it’s just kind of nice knowing everybody. It feels like no matter where I go in Hall County, I always know someone. I think that’s a good feeling. In some other counties, people might not care as much about you or acknowledge you as often.”

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Hall County? What do you like to get there?

A: “Atlas Pizza. I like the meat lovers pizza.”

Q: Tell me about you watching the first USC game this season (USC beat LSU 27-20).

A: “I was excited. I kind of expected it. I know a lot of people probably didn’t, but just talking to their defensive staff during the offseason, I knew a lot was going to change. I think they shocked a lot of people. It was really exciting.”

Q: Why did you decide to commit there?

A: “I felt that USC would give me the best overall opportunity. I believe it would help me boost my name and give me a chance to go to the league. However, I feel that I would really be developed there—not just as a player, but also as a person. Additionally, the marketing opportunities are a significant factor.”

Q: What’s something on your bucket list?  

A: “I like traveling out the country. I really want to go to the Maldives.”

Q: Who is one of the most interesting people you’ve met living in Gainesville or going to Gainesville High School? 

A: “BW – his real name is Ashley Bell, but he’s on the football team. He’s very different—always doing something funny and crazy.”

Q: What inspired you to play football? What do you love about it?

A: “I would say what really keeps me going is my family. I want to take care of them one day, so that’s what motivates me.”

Q: What do you think Gainesville needs to do to win the region? 

A: “Beating Milton is the big obstacle, I’d say. I’m not downplaying the other teams in the region, but if we do what we need to do, it shouldn’t be a problem. However, Milton is the only team with a combination of athletes, discipline, and solid coaching. It’s rare to see all three qualities in one team. For example, the last three teams we played, like Marietta and Westlake, had athletes, but they lacked discipline. So, going up against a team that has all three is the toughest challenge. I would just say that beating Milton is key.”

Q: Who’s your position coach? What do you like about your coach? 

A: “My position coach is Coach Jermaine Montley now. Coach Kasey Smith was my position coach last year, but he’s the defensive coordinator now. I would say both of them. Coach Smith is always with us. He’s someone who will keep it real with you—he’s not going to sugarcoat anything. It took me a while to get used it, but once you understand him as a person and he gets to know you beyond just being a player, it becomes easier. We’ve had a lot of deep conversations that I haven’t shared with anyone else, and he’s someone I know I can always talk to. As for Coach Montley, he’s a very passionate guy. He doesn’t talk much, but when he does, you know you need to listen.”

Q: What do you want to study in college?  

A: “Business and real estate, but I know it might change.”

Q: Favorite Gainesville player of all time?

A: “Jeremiah Telander.”