A big-time edge defender from the Peach State in the 2026 class returned to Clemson earlier this month.

Gainesville (Ga.) High School four-star defensive end/outside linebacker Xavier Griffin – a top-100 national prospect in his class – was back on campus for the Tigers’ March 9 junior day.

Griffin has attended multiple games at Death Valley in the past, but the junior day was his first time traveling to Tiger Town for a non-gameday visit, which afforded him a more detailed look at Dabo Swinney’s program.

“I really enjoyed my visit,” Griffin told The Clemson Insider. “Clemson is a nice place gameday or not!”

Griffin’s mom, who accompanied him to the junior day, came away particularly impressed by a certain aspect of Clemson’s program.

“My mom is a huge fan of the P.A.W. Journey program they have,” Griffin said.

For the 6-foot-4, 210-pound recruit, there were a couple highlights of his junior day experience, including getting to meet one of the most decorated players in Clemson history.

“I would say meeting Trevor Lawrence,” he said, “and being able to see my old teammate [Gainesville High product and current Clemson freshman defensive tackle] Champ Thompson out there on the field.”

The visit also gave Griffin the chance to spend more time with members of Clemson’s staff.

“They just want me to stay focused and keep grinding,” he said.

Clemson has yet to extend any class of 2026 offers, but Griffin hopes to get one when the Tigers start offering prospects in his class this summer.

“Definitely believe an offer will come but Dabo doesn’t like offering to underclassmen, so hopefully by summer I may have one from them!” he said.

Close to 20 schools have already pulled the trigger on offering Griffin, whose list of college opportunities includes Alabama, Florida State, Duke, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Tennessee, Southern Cal and Wisconsin among others.

Where does Clemson stand with him at this stage of the recruiting process following the junior day visit?

“Clemson is still a high school for me,” he said.

Griffin, the nation’s No. 95 overall prospect in the 2026 class per Rivals, plans to be back at Clemson for camp in June.

–Photo courtesy of Xavier Griffin (@zay_social) on X (formerly Twitter)

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