Alabama linebacker Xavier Griffin has been named the Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Week after delivering a career-best performance in the Crimson Tide’s 56-23 victory over Mississippi State.
The Maxwell Football Club announced the weekly honor on Oct. 6, recognizing Griffin’s impact on an Alabama defense that helped the Crimson Tide secure a convincing win over the Bulldogs.
Xavier Griffin Records Career-High Nine Tackles
Griffin finished the game with a career-high nine total tackles, including three solo stops and six assisted tackles.
The freshman linebacker also recorded the first sack of his college career, adding another milestone to a performance that demonstrated his ability to contribute in multiple areas of Alabama’s defense.
Griffin consistently found his way into the backfield while also covering ground from sideline to sideline. His performance helped Alabama control Mississippi State and contributed to the Crimson Tide’s 33-point margin of victory.
The showing marked an important step in Griffin’s development as a college linebacker and provided another indication of the role he could play for Alabama as the 2026 season progresses.
Freshman Linebacker Makes an Impact on Alabama Defense
Griffin’s versatility was particularly notable during the matchup. In addition to making tackles around the field, his ability to pressure the backfield gave Alabama another option in its defensive front.
For a freshman playing in one of college football’s most demanding environments, Griffin’s production against Mississippi State represented a significant early-career performance.
The Maxwell Football Club highlighted his ability to disrupt plays in the middle of the defense and his potential to take on a larger role as the season continues.
“With a talent like his, we expect his role to grow as the season continues.”
His nine tackles represented a new career high, while his first collegiate sack added to an individual performance that earned national recognition.
Shaun Alexander Award Recognizes Top College Football Freshmen
The Maxwell Football Club recognizes an outstanding college freshman each week during the 2026 season through its Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Week award.
Players are considered based on their overall performances on offense, defense or special teams. Selection for the weekly honor is not limited to athletes who appeared on the Shaun Alexander Award preseason watch list, allowing freshmen from across college football to earn recognition based on their performances during the season.
The weekly award is connected to the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, which honors standout first-year players at the college level.
Griffin’s selection follows his productive performance for one of the most prominent programs in U.S. college football. Alabama competes in the Southeastern Conference, where freshmen regularly face some of the nation’s highest-profile programs and players.
Griffin Adds to Promising Freshman Season
For Griffin, the recognition provides another marker in his early development with the Crimson Tide.
Producing nine tackles and a sack in a conference matchup demonstrated his ability to contribute against SEC competition. His combination of tackling range and backfield pressure could give Alabama additional defensive flexibility as the season moves forward.
Freshmen often see their responsibilities increase as they gain experience within a college defensive system, and Griffin’s performance against Mississippi State showed his potential to handle a more significant workload.
With his career-high tackle total and first college sack helping Alabama to a 56-23 victory, Griffin has established himself as a freshman to watch as the Crimson Tide continue their 2026 campaign.
