While UCF’s claim to the national championship is dubious, at best, there’s no denying Shaquem Griffin’s 2017 performance ranks right up there with any defender the nation.
Considering his accomplishments the past two seasons, which earned him a trip to the latest Senior Bowl, it was quite bizarre to find out he was not extended an offer to participate in the upcoming NFL Combine. The annual event hosts nearly every draftable NFL prospect every draft season.
That news was met not only with puzzlement but some disdain from many questioning his exclusion. Many rightfully questioned if he was being left out because he doesn’t have a left hand. While that fact will make it tough on him in the NFL, Griffin didn’t have the use of his left hand during his college career, either. That didn’t him from twice being named to the All-AAC First-Team and AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.
Tuesday, Griffin shared the news that he has now been extended an invite to the combine:
#NFLcombine bound!! ?????? #AgainstAllOdds pic.twitter.com/lAsCQj4TrV
— shaquem griffin (@Shaquemgriffin) January 30, 2018
Whether you think Griffin has a shot to make an NFL roster or not, he at least deserves the chance to show what he’s got to NFL talent evaluators. His play alone during his college career makes that abundantly clear.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
