Elijah Griffin: Recruiting experts weigh in on where nation's No. 1 DL commits

Pooler (Ga.) Savannah Christian Prep Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Elijah Griffin, the nation’s top uncommitted prospect, will come off the board this Friday, Oct. 18.

The No. 6 overall recruit and top-ranked DL in the 2025 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking, will choose between Georgia, Miami and USC. Each program has had him on campus multiple times throughout his process, including for official visits.

The in-state Bulldogs have long been trending for Griffin in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine and have been after the 6-foot-4, 300-pounder for longer than anyone. Both the Hurricanes and Trojans have made their fair share of impressions, however, and have continued to push for his pledge.

Ahead of Friday’s announcement, On3’s Chad Simmons, Steve Wiltfong and team insiders for Georgia, Miami and USC each weigh in on where things stand with Griffin as he nears his decision:

Who lands Five-Star Plus+ DL Elijah Griffin?

Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons: “I have liked Georgia’s position from the beginning due to the relationships they have created with Elijah and those close to him. It starts with Tray Scott, the defensive line coach, but over the last four years, the whole staff at Georgia has created that bond with Griffin. Then it goes to the players and people around the program. He is about relationships and comfortability. Georgia checks those boxes in a big way. You can talk about Georgia being the in-state program, a winning program and its track record with defensive linemen, but it starts with the connection with the people at Georgia.”

VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong: “Georgia was first to offer Elijah in the eighth grade and have been the one to beat from the beginning. In addition to all the things Georgia offers on the field, Elijah and his family feel comfortable at UGA, surrounded by a staff they trust. Miami and USC gave Elijah other potential options, but playing for Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, carrying on the tradition and maximizing his own ability has put the in-state powerhouse in great position.”

Georgia Insider Rusty Mansell: “I think Griffin picks Georgia on Friday. This is one that Georgia has been recruiting now for almost four and a half years. He has been to Athens so many times now I can’t even count the amount of trips. He has done his due diligence and credit to him. He took a hard look at several schools, but at the end of the day, I’ve always felt like this was Georgia. I think bringing multiple family members into town over the weekend was the closure of this five-star recruitment. You don’t see Kirby Smart miss on many five-star in-state defensive lineman.”

Miami Insider Gary Ferman: “Miami has been all in on landing Griffin, whom they have identified as one of the true difference makers in the 2025 class. But there has been a lot of distance from his summer visit and he has not followed through yet on suggested thoughts about visiting for a game this fall. The impression here is that it is going very difficult for anybody to get him away from Georgia.”

USC Insider Scott Schrader: “I’ve always felt Georgia was the school to beat and I’m expecting Elijah to announce for the Bulldogs on October 18. The only way USC had a shot was to get him back on campus in the fall, and that obviously didn’t happen.”