Texas hosted elite 2026 EDGE defender Xavier Griffin a second time this off-season — this time rolling out the burnt orange and white carpet for him and his family for their official visit on the Forty Acres.
No team has made a bigger dent in Griffin’s recruitment this off-season than the Longhorns, who behind Steve Sarkisian and first-year EDGE coach La’Allen Clark have continued to improve their standing with the touted target from Gainesville (Ga.) High School.
Griffin’s official visit to Austin provided the blue-chipper with even more to consider about Texas.
“I can see myself fitting in at Texas,” Griffin told Rivals after his second visit back to Texas this off-season.
“Austin was great. I had a really great time,” he continued. “I definitely feel like a priority with them. They just continue to be consistent with how they want me, how they want to play me and how they want to develop me.”
The latter has been a critical factor for Griffin and his mother to consider as they weigh their options.
At Texas, there is an emphasis on on-field development as well as personal growth.
“It was great to be able to sit and talk with both of them and where they see me at coming to Texas and where they see me after Texas,” Griffin said of his sit-down conversations with Sarkisian and Clark this weekend.
“It’s not just being a football player; even having a stellar academic career at Texas means a lot,” he continued. “Knowing they have thought out an academic and athletic future for me excites me a lot.”
Griffin has logged official visits to Ohio State, Alabama and Texas to date. He will lock in his commitment on June 29.
His connection with Clark, who has been recruiting dating back to his tenure in Columbus, continues to loom exceedingly large as a decision nears.
“Being developed as an athlete — and as a student-athlete — and as a man excites my mom and my family a lot, too,” Griffin detailed.
“Austin is a nice area and it reminds me a lot of the Atlanta area,” he added.
LONGHORNS HAVE TRACTION WITH MULTIPLE SOUTHEAST BLUE-CHIPPERS
Dre Quinn is set to come off the board on June 19 and is no longer expected to make official visits to Notre Dame or Tennessee this weekend.
Coming off an official visit to Austin, I’ve moved my FutureCast from Georgia to Texas for the Rivals250 EDGE defender.
Texas has been trending up in this race along with aforementioned Georgia and Clemson. As Thursday’s commitment looms, there is a growing sense that the Longhorns have improved their standing even further.
Four-star interior DL Vodney Clevelandh as already navigated through official visits to Auburn, North Carolina Georgia and Florida. After hitting Texas for a second time this off-season last weekend, Cleveland has nixed his upcoming visit to Miami.
Florida and Texas have been at the top with the blue-chipper — and the Longhorns in pole position after this return visit to the Forty Acres.
Cleveland is set to come off the board on June 21.My FutureCast is on Texas in this one.
Elite 2026 cornerback Samari Matthews logged his second visit back to Austin as Texas continues to assert itself as a major contender in this blue-chipper’s recruitment — a theme that’s been building since Mark Orphey arrived on the Forty Acres.
“My experience in Austin was amazing — from the staff and players to the energy of the city itself,” Matthews said. “What excites me most about the chance to play for Coach Sark is knowing he pushes his players to be their best in every way — both on and off the field. At Texas, I know I’ll be challenged to grow into the best version of myself, which aligns with the goals I’ve set for my future.”
The Longhorns have continues to ascend with the top-30 prospect. They’re battling South Carolina at the top in this one.
“It’s very close,” Matthews affirmed.
Matthews heads to Columbia this weekend (June 20) ahead of an August 10 commitment.
I am close to logging a FutureCast for Texas in this one.