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What they're saying about National Team alum Shaquem Griffin's NFL Combine performance

By Adam Wire | Posted 3/5/2018

Shaquem Griffin answers questions Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis (Photo by Adam Wire)

 

For all the hype entering this past weekend's NFL Scouting Combine surrounding top-tier prospects like Saquon Barkley, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and others, a 2013 U.S. National Team alum who played at the University of Central Florida stole the show in Indianapolis.

Shaquem Griffin was born with amniotic band syndrome, a congenital birth defect that can cause body parts to become entangled in the womb. It rendered his left hand useless, and that hand was amputated when he was 4 years old. 

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He still dominated as a linebacker at Central Florida, helping the Knights go 13-0 last season. He was MVP of the Peach Bowl in UCF's 34-27 win over Auburn, and a two-time All-American Athletic Conference linebacker. Despite that and lots of other accolades, he didn't get invited to take part in the Combine until after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, an annual event in Mobile, Alabama, which gives college football seniors a chance to showcase their skills in front of NFL coaching staffs.

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Shaquem Griffin as a U.S. National Team player in 2013.

Saturday, Griffin used a prosthetic hand to help him do the requisite 225-pound bench press at the Combine. He did 20 reps, nine more than he had ever done before at that weight.

Sunday, it was time to run the 40-yard dash. Watch for yourself.

Many observers wondered, "How can he catch the ball?" Here's how: 

Needless to say, Griffin's performance drew plenty of reaction from the football community. Here's just a small sample:

In Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback, its team of writers weighed in on how much Griffin improved his NFL Draft prospects:

ALBERT BREER: "A college scouting director told me on Sunday that he thinks Griffin leaves here a fourth-rounder, and I ran that by a couple other scouts and they agreed. To start, he can be a strong special teamer, and developmental linebacker, with a chance to grow into more. And of course, there are still questions (e.g. could he block well enough to play on the punt team?) that teams won’t have real answers to before draft day." ​

PETER KING: "Late third/early fourth. He can be the best special-teams player on any team early, and maybe have a pass-rushing or sub-package role right away."

Still unconvinced? Read Griffin's "A Letter to NFL GMs," which the website published March 2.

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TagsBlog College football NFL National Team International Bowl Fan/enthusiast Strength and Conditioning
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