Five-Star Plus+ DL Elijah Griffin locks in his commitment date

That first offer came for Elijah Griffin just a couple of games into his 8th grade season in middle school. That offer was from Georgia. He has gone through the process long enough and the Bulldogs will have a hat on the table this week when the Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman out of Pooler (Ga.) Savannah Christian announces his commitment.

“I will make my decision on Oct. 18 at 1:20pm ET at the school,” Griffin told On3. “This process has been very long and strenuous, but I am blessed to be in this position and I am excited about making this decision. In my heart, about a month or two ago, I started thinking about this, and I told myself, when I am ready, I will commit and I am ready.”

Georgia, Miami and USC have received official visits and they have been Griffin’s top three since the summer. Other schools have continued to recruit the No. 6 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking. Texas reached out last week for the first time. South Carolina has been involved from early in his recruitment.

The time is right for Griffin.

“It is perfect for me to announce this week. We have a bye week, so everyone can be there, we don’t have a game and it is a free week at school based around the ACT and SAT. This is the perfect time for me to announce my decision.

… I have been thinking about it for a while. It has been on my mind and now is the perfect time for me to end my recruiting process.”

Georgia, Miami and USC have made their case for Griffin

Official visits are done for Griffin. He has seen all he needed to see and his mind is ready.

“I wanted to finish up my official visits, make sure all my questions had been answered and make sure I am ready,” Griffin said. “I had visited Georgia a lot in the past, but I had not taken my official. That is done and I feel I am ready to make my decision.”

Miami has made a big push since the spring. He visited multiple times and the Hurricanes will have a hat on the table Friday.

“It is about coach Jason Taylor. We have a real relationship and he is a great coach. I love the city of Miami and coach Mario Cristobal has Miami at the top of the ACC right now.”

USC got Griffin on campus in June and the Trojans came into the picture a little later. It was about the hiring of Eric Henderson.

“From the first time coach Henny came to the school to see me, he impressed me. He is a good man with that Louisiana accent and a great coach. That is what put USC on my list and I like him a lot.”

Georgia is the in-state school. The relationships run deep with those in Athens.

“I have known coach Tray Scott, coach Kirby Smart and coach Glenn Shumann for five years now. The people in Athens made me comfortable and it is just a place I enjoy going.”