Kalen DeBoer had high praise for one of his new linebackers.

He went as far as comparing signee Xavier Griffin to a recent Alabama star.

“X is a guy who’s a flex guy,” DeBoer said Wednesday . “Really see him as a Jihaad Campbell linebacker. Can fly, can run, has got some length, and he’s going to put on some good weight. Then can be versatile enough to go play on the edge, and not have to necessarily sub in when you want to put him in spots to go get after the quarterback. And so we just can’t wait to have our defensive staff get their hands on him and let him go to work.”

Campbell was a first-team All-SEC selection for the Crimson Tide in 2024. Then the Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Griffin played for Gainesville High School in Gainesvil

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