Five-Star Plus+ DL Elijah Griffin visiting Florida this weekend
One of the top prospects in the nation will be in Gainesville this weekend.
Florida is one of the many, many programs looking to make an impression on Savannah Christian Prep Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Elijah Griffin. Billy Napier and the Gators will get the chance to do just that this weekend, as Griffin announced he’ll head to The Swamp for a visit on Saturday.
Griffin is the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s the top-ranked D-lineman and top-ranked player in the Peach State.
It’s set to be Florida’s first time having Griffin on campus since his freshman year, according to On3’s Chad Simmons. The Gators have plenty of competition for the 6-foot-4, 270-pounder, too.
Georgia leading for Griffin in the On3 RPM
It’s Georgia that’s trending heavily for Griffin’s pledge, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Simmons logged a pick in favor of the Dawgs on Jan. 15, right after Griffin made his latest trip to Athens.
“I have viewed Georgia as the favorite to land Griffin. After this weekend, the buzz is even higher around the Bulldogs. Griffin had his grandmother on campus for the first time. His younger sister loved it in Athens. His mother is very comfortable with the staff and Georgia continues to sit in a good spot for the No. 1 prospect in their state,” Simmons wrote upon logging his prediction.
Griffin has already taken plenty of visits to UGA — including trips in April, June, September and October of last year. He was also one the headliners on a loaded Junior Day visit list this month.
“I have a blast every time I am there,” Griffin told On3. “I have been back and forth from Athens to Savannah so many times that I have those relationships. I have relationships with the players and the coaches, and it honestly feels like I am sitting in my own living room when I am hanging out with those guys.
Florida looking to build 2025 recruiting class
It was a sour finish to the 2024 cycle for the Gators, but Napier and his staff are poised to make some new noise on the recruiting trail amongst the 2025 class. UF has already added two commitments in January: Tallahassee (Fla.) James Rickards four-star defensive lineman Jalen Wiggins and Atlanta Woodward three-star wide receiver Josiah Abdullah.
Wiggins is the No. 83 recruit and No. 8 DL in the cycle. He and Abdullah are joined by Tampa Plant four-star running back Waltez Clark as commits in Florida’s 2025 class, as of Jan. 18.
“In the end it just came down to wanting to be a leader as well as falling in love with the place from more than just football,” Wiggins told On3 upon his commitment. “Florida has always been special and hearing insight from the players on a personal level was huge. It helped me realize that many of them weren’t focused on the staff but the school as a whole, and it’s how they made their decision. Being the first defensive player in the class was to find the family and build for the year to come.”