In a major recruiting victory, the Georgia Bulldogs have secured the commitment of Elijah Griffin, the nation’s top defensive tackle and No. 5 overall prospect in the class of 2025. The five-star phenom from Savannah Christian Preparatory School chose Georgia over fellow finalists Miami and USC, ending one of the most closely watched recruitments of the cycle.
Bulldogs Bolster Defensive Line With Elite Talent
At 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, Griffin possesses a rare blend of size, strength, and athleticism that has made him a virtually unblockable force at the high school level. In his career at Savannah Christian, the dominant defender has racked up an astounding 69 tackles for loss, including 33.5 sacks, while leading his team to a state title game appearance in 2023.
Griffin’s commitment provides a massive boost to a Georgia defensive line that has been a key component of the program’s success under head coach Kirby Smart. He joins a loaded 2025 defensive class that already includes four other ESPN 300 prospects:
- Zayden Walker, OLB (No. 16 overall)
- Isaiah Gibson, DE (No. 30 overall)
- Shamari Earls, CB (No. 75 overall)
- Nolan Boyd, DE (No. 98 overall)
Long-Standing Relationship Pays Off
Griffin’s pledge to the Bulldogs comes as the culmination of a recruitment that began remarkably early. The Georgia staff, led by defensive line coach Tray Scott, first extended an offer to the promising young lineman when he was just 13 years old. Over the years, as Griffin blossomed into a top national recruit, he made frequent visits to Athens to build relationships with the coaches and players.
Elijah has been on our radar for a long time, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the Georgia football family. He’s an exceptional young man with unlimited potential, and we believe he’ll make an immediate impact on our defense.
– Tray Scott, via a source close to the program
Closing Out the 2025 Cycle Strong
With Griffin’s announcement, the Bulldogs now hold commitments from nine of the top 100 prospects in the ESPN 300 for the 2025 cycle, including six in the top 50. The addition of the elite defensive tackle vaults Georgia’s class to No. 5 in the nation, according to ESPN’s latest rankings, with the potential for more big-name commitments on the horizon.
Sources indicate that Georgia remains in strong position with several other highly touted defenders, most notably five-star lineman Justus Terry (No. 7 overall) and ESPN 300 safeties Eric Winters and Lagonza Hayward Jr., both of whom are currently committed to other SEC programs. Landing any combination of those targets would almost certainly give the Bulldogs their ninth consecutive top-three recruiting class dating back to 2017.
The Stage Is Set for Griffin’s Impact
While Griffin still has his senior season to play at Savannah Christian, his future in Athens already looks exceedingly bright. With his elite physical tools, relentless motor, and advanced technical skills, he has all the makings of an instant-impact player at the collegiate level.
Bulldogs fans will undoubtedly be eagerly anticipating Griffin’s arrival on campus, as he has the potential to be the next great defensive lineman to don the red and black. And if his high school production is any indication, SEC offenses will soon have yet another fearsome Georgia defender to gameplan around.
