Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh stopped by Savannah Christian Prep to see 2025 five-star

The open period is upon us, meaning college coaches can trek to different high schools and get in-person looks at prospects that we so often talk about. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has had a busy few days – he made several stops in North Carolina before heading down to Savannah, Georgia, to check on five-star defensive lineman Elijah Griffin.

Griffin is the No. 3 prospect in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports’ Composite Rankings. He has many major suitors giving chase, but it seems that Clemson, Georgia, and South Carolina have each held momentum throughout his recruiting process. However, we know how these things can change, and Griffin is the type of player the coaches continue recruiting to try and get their foot in the door.

“If you were to create a defensive lineman in a laboratory, the result would look similar to Griffin. He measures 6-4 and 270 lbs. with above-average athleticism for his size. While he won’t always be able to beat SEC tackles with speed and bend, his power at the point of attack is impressive. Griffin played a three-technique, four-technique, and 4i for his high school as a freshman. Savannah Christian Prep preferred to line him up on the tackle’s inside shoulder as a 4i, enabling him to work inside moves and affect the run game. He needs to develop consistent pass-rush moves, but Griffin’s IQ jumps off the screen. He consistently comes with a pass-rush plan and developed several counters after his freshman season. Griffin will make his way onto the field as an impact run-defender; his body and power should only grow over time, clogging B-gaps on the national stage immediately. If he goes to the right program, Griffin can become an effective pass-rusher, but currently, he is a ball of clay.” – Evan Crowell on Elijah Griffin in September 2022