Four-star defensive end Xavier Griffin has committed to USC

Lincoln Riley and USC landed the program’s highest-rated commitment in the 2026 class on Saturday evening with a commitment from four-star defensive end Xavier Griffin.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound pass rusher is the No. 21 prospect on the ESPN Jr. 300 and the third-ranked defensive end in the 2026 class, according to ESPN Rankings. Griffin, a standout talent from Gainesville, Florida, was the fourth-ranked recruit in his class out of the state of Florida and chose the Trojans over a list of other offers that included Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon.

With his commitment, Griffin becomes the fifth and highest-ranked player in Riley’s 2026 class to commit to USC. Griffin is the program’s third ESPN 300 commitment in 2026, joining Brandon Lockhart (No. 67 on the ESPN Jr. 300) and Dominique Kelly (No. 248). Riley is set to join the Trojans in 2026, with wide receiver Ja’Myron Baker and safety Madden Riordan filling out the rest of the class.

Griffin totaled 54 tackles with 15 sacks and two forced fumbles as a sophomore at Gainesville High School last fall. He committed to USC this spring after visits to Alabama and Florida State.

Griffin’s commitment marks the most significant increase yet to Riley’s 2026 class at USC. The 2025 Trojans are ranked 24th in ESPN’s latest team rankings for the cycle after high-profile commitments from defensive linemen Justus Terry (No. 7 in the 2025 ESPN 300) and Isaiah Gibson (No. 30) earlier this summer.