Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class just got a serious boost from a familiar pipeline - Gainesville High School in Georgia. The Crimson Tide landed two of the top defensive prospects in the country from the same locker room: five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin and four-star edge rusher Jamarion Matthews. That duo accounts for 10% of Alabama’s current 20-man class, and they’re bringing more than just talent - they’re bringing chemistry, leadership, and a winning pedigree.
Let’s start with Griffin. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he’s the kind of linebacker who jumps off the tape.
He chose Alabama over USC, and it’s easy to see why the Tide wanted him. He’s got the versatility to play in space or crash the edge - a true flex defender.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer didn’t hold back in his praise, comparing Griffin’s skill set to former Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell. That’s high praise, and it speaks to Griffin’s ability to cover ground, bring pressure, and hold up physically against the run.
“He can fly, he can run, he’s got some length,” DeBoer said. “He put on some good weight to be versatile enough to go play on the edge and not necessarily have to sub in when you want to put him in spots to go get after the quarterback.”
That kind of flexibility is gold in today’s game. Defensive coordinators crave guys who can stay on the field regardless of down or distance, and Griffin fits that mold. He’s a modern linebacker with old-school toughness - and Alabama’s staff can’t wait to get him in the building.
Then there’s Matthews, a 6-foot-2, 250-pound edge rusher who brings a different kind of presence to the front seven. He picked Alabama over Ole Miss, and while he may not have the five-star label, the upside is hard to miss. DeBoer sees a player with size, power, and - maybe most importantly - the kind of personality that fits right into the Crimson Tide culture.
“Jamarion, just what he does up front with his size potential is going to be (good),” DeBoer said. “A really cool kid to be around.
You talk about adding to the culture, just the personality he brings is special. I loved talking to him every single week we got on the phone.”
That’s the kind of quote that tells you Matthews isn’t just a physical presence - he’s a locker room guy, too. And for a defense that thrives on toughness and discipline, that matters.
DeBoer made it clear: Alabama needs players who can anchor the middle, disrupt offensive lines, and bring energy to the trenches. Matthews checks all those boxes.
Both Griffin and Matthews are still chasing a Georgia state title with Gainesville. They’ll take the field in a Class AAAAA quarterfinal matchup against Hughes on Friday, Dec. 5 - a chance to add one more chapter to their high school legacy before heading to Tuscaloosa.
It’s not every day you get two elite defenders from the same high school joining the same college program. But Alabama saw something special in Griffin and Matthews - not just in their tape, but in their leadership, their chemistry, and their fit within the program. And if their high school success is any indication, the Crimson Tide defense just got a whole lot deeper - and a whole lot tougher.