5-star DL Elijah Griffin sets first official visit to Miami, talks the Hurricanes and commitment date: “I feel like I fit in that program well”
After taking a slew of visits this spring across the country, Savannah (Ga.) Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Elijah Griffin has set his first official visit this summer, and that will be to Miami with the Hurricanes on June 7-9.
Griffin, who last visited Coral Gables on March 8, was thoroughly impressed with what he saw during his time on campus, which led to the elite defender locking in his first official visit to the program later this summer.
“I wanted to set up an official visit to Miami because when I went down there, they stood out to me defensively and their defensive scheme,” Griffin told CaneSport. “I feel like I fit in that program well.”
Leading Miami’s push for the 6-foot-5, 290-pounder has been Miami defensive line coaches Jason Taylor and Joe Salave’a.
The idea of playing and learning under Taylor, who is an NFL Hall of Famer, and Salave’a, who spent eight years in the league as well, is something that excites Griffin, who is the No. 4 overall ranked prospect in the 2025 class according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
“Coach Jason Taylor is a Hall of Famer, and coach Joe played in the league as well,” Griffin said. “Being coached by two guys who have played in the league and have already been at that level that I want to get to one day really stood out to me. They’re real, genuine guys too.”
Throughout the spring, the Hurricanes staff has maintained consistent communication with Griffin, which has allowed the two sides to gain a closer bond and a greater understanding of each other.
“The message has been about the opportunities that exist beyond football and as an academic institution,” Griffin explained. “They have one of the top business schools in America. It’s a private institution, which I did not know. Really things of those aspects academically as well as the NIL opportunity that’s there.”
After announcing his top 12 schools earlier this month, which included Miami, Alabama, Clemson, Colorado, Duke, Florida, Georgia, Louisville, LSU, Oregon, South Carolina, and USC, Griffin is hoping to narrow things down and explained what he’ll be looking for the most in each program in the coming months.
“I would just say feeling out the vibes and the energy,” Griffin said. “I can kind of feel out the real from the fake, and it’s kind of a feel thing for me, honestly. Also if the coaches are going to stay at a program and what their mindsets are for the future. And development is a key thing for me. How can I maximize my capability as a player.”
When it comes to making a final decision, Griffin is in no rush to do so and plans to announce his commitment and sign his national letter of intent on the same day before enrolling early in the program he chooses on Dec. 4, which is college football’s new early signing period after being moved three weeks from mid-December to the week preceding conference championship games.
“I plan on enrolling early at my school, so whenever the early signing period is before January, I will sign and commit on the same day,” Griffin said.
CaneSport’s take
With an official visit set, it is safe to say the Hurricanes are a legit contender in the race to land the coveted defender. Both Taylor and Salave’a have done a great job recruiting Griffin and making Miami feel like home, but it will not be easy by any means to lure the Georgia native out of the Peach State.
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