DL Elijah Griffin is currently the only 2025 Five-Star Plus+ recruit

Being named a five-star recruit designates you as one of the top high school football players in the country. However, a select group of prospects earn even higher recognition.

Five-Star Plus+ recruits hold five-star status from the four major recruiting services: On3, 247, Rivals and ESPN. Currently, Savannah (Ga.) Savannah Christian Prep defensive lineman Elijah Griffin is the only Five-Star Plus+ recruit in the 2025 class.

“When we were putting together the initial watch list, which I think was the first 2025 ranking of that sort in the industry, we watched his freshman film and it popped off immediately,” On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power said. “You knew within a couple plays that ‘Okay, this is a top-10, top-five type of talent.’ He looked like a grown man as a freshman and just highly athletic, powerful. He is a guy who has the size of a defensive lineman, but has the athleticism and ability to rush the passer of an EDGE prospect.”

Griffin is the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound defender holds nearly 30 offers.

Three schools have hosted Griffin for unofficial visits this spring. They are Georgia (April 15), Alabama (March 4) and South Carolina (Jan. 28).

“Definitely Georgia and South Carolina,” Griffin told On3’s Chad Simmons on March 28 about schools leading for his commitment. “It might change like I said, but they stand out the most. They are the top two, as of right now.”

Griffin discusses multiple schools of interest

Georgia: “I love Athens. It’s a great atmosphere. I know some of the d-linemen that currently play on the team right now. I have a good connection with them, so I can relate what I can know in the future if I play for them.”

South Carolina: “I love Columbia. I love the city, I love the people, it’s a great atmosphere. The people are great. I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to consider going to Columbia just to play. It’s more than just football. I think that you have to find other elements… It’s just a great atmosphere overall.”

Multiple other programs are also involved in Griffin’s recruitment. They include Alabama, Penn State and Tennessee.

“Tennessee is not too far from Georgia,” Griffin said. “I’d like to look at a school that’s close to home because I think that’s where I will most likely end up, close to home. I know Penn State’s far, but I just want to compare the two from the far and being close to home.”