Five-Star Plus+ DL Elijah Griffin names top three schools

Savannah Christian Prep Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Elijah Griffin has made it clear that he’s in no rush to come to a decision. He does, however, have a much clearer idea of his top contenders moving forward.

After naming a top 12 back in March, the nation’s No. 5 prospect in the 2025 cycle is now down to three schools: Georgia, Miami and USC. Originally eyeing a December commitment, Griffin also tells On3 that he could potentially move that date up to around his birthday on Oct. 12.

“Still not 100 percent,” Griffin told On3 about the decision timeline. “Thinking about an October commitment.”

June official visits have already been logged to the Hurricanes and Trojans. Griffin has taken a myriad of visits to see the Bulldogs and is still planning to log an OV to Athens sometime around or after the upcoming season. He also took an unofficial visit to UGA last month.

“It was nothing new for me since I have been to Georgia so many times,” Griffin told On3 of the recent trip. “I keep going back because of the love I have for the city of Athens. The love I have for the staff. It is about the love I have for the people and the atmosphere at Georgia. Athens is a small college town, but it just feels right. It reminds me of downtown Savannah and it is always good to get back.”

The in-state school has set the pace in this recruitment and is trending heavily, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Elijah Griffin Scouting Summary

On3 writes this of Griffin as a prospect:

“Highly athletic, disruptive defensive lineman who looks like the top prospect along the defensive front entering his senior season. One of the top defensive line prospects in several cycles. Measured at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds with 34.5-inch arms and 10-inch hands prior to his senior season. Has continued adding mass and strength. Flies off the snap and darts into the backfield to create disruption with regularity. A very loose and fluid athlete, particularly at his size. Plays with outstanding leverage and body lean. Shows advanced hands at the point of attack and quickly neutralizes offensive linemen. Darts into the backfield to make plays behind the line of scrimmage at a high clip. Consistently wins in a phone booth with his combination of length, strength and first-step quickness.

…Has the speed in pursuit to track down running backs from the back side. Posted phenomenal production throughout his high school career, with 182 tackles, 61 tackles for loss and 35.5 sacks as a sophomore and junior. Shows his functional strength and short area explosion in track and field, where he’s posted a 52-2 foot throw in the shot put. Posts eye-popping numbers in the weight room, with a 405 pound bench press, 550+ pound squat and 315 pound clean prior to his junior season. Projects as a top defensive lineman with the ability to line up and disrupt from multiple spots on a defensive front.”