In his first year as a starter, linebacker Shaquem
Griffin was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of
the Year. He’s been a huge part of UCF’s rebound this season — one in
which defense carried the team — and has been the Knights’ most
productive player. Shaquem saw little playing time under George O’Leary,
but thrives in the base 3-4 defense the Knights field now.
With eleven sacks, Shaquem leads the conference and ranks
tenth in the nation. He places second in the AAC in tackles for loss
with 19 -- good also for tenth in the nation. And Shaquem accounted for
about a tenth of the Knights’ total tackles this year.
It’s all the more impressive that he’s excelled this year
with just one hand, his left one having been amputated when he was 4 as
a result of amniotic band syndrome (a congenital birth defect which left him with painful and “jelly-like” fingers).
And yes, he did snag an interception this year.
Shaquem is the second UCF player to be named the AAC’s
Defensive Player of the Year (cornerback Jacoby Glenn shared that honor
in 2014 with Tank Jakes from Memphis).
UCF also placed multiple players on the AAC
All-Conference Teams. Shaquem naturally made the first team, while his
twin brother Shaquill made the second. Shaquill led the team in both
interceptions (4) and passes broken up (12). Noseguard Jamiyus Pittman
joined Shaquill on the second team, and safety Drico Johnson (who
memorably scored two defensive touchdowns against Tulane) slotted in at honorable mention.
Fortunately for a UCF defense that graduates a ton of
seniors, both Shaquem (a redshirt junior) and Pittman (a junior) ought
to be back next year.
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