Shaquem Griffin is more than a feel-good story, he is an excellent football player. And now he is an NFL player.
With the 141st pick in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks have selected former UCF linebacker, Shaquem Griffin. Griffin reunites with his twin brother Shaquill Griffin who was selected by Seattle in the 3rd round in the 2017 draft.
Welcome to the family, @Shaquemgriffin!! #SeahawksDraft #AgainstAllOdds pic.twitter.com/4fbuTpyl9u
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 28, 2018
The last time brothers were drafted by the same teams was in 2001, according to ESPN
“I would wait all over again to have that opportunity to be back with my brother. For everyone who was picked in front of me, for everyone who doubted me, they’re really gonna feel who I am. I’m not going to let any price or any pick define who I am,” said Griffin on ESPN.
Wow. Chills. God is so good! Great job @Seahawks
Congrats @ShaquemGriffin & @ShaquillG
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) April 28, 2018
“It was literally like a dream,” Shaquem said on getting the call from the Seahawks, “It’s like I was literally dreaming and magical stuff started happening,” Shaquem said on a conference call with Seattle media.
Griffin becomes the 3rd UCF linebacker to be drafted in program history and the first since 1993. Griffin is the 4th Knight selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, which ties for the most UCF selections in a single draft since 2003. He is the first player in modern draft history to be drafted with only one-hand.
“They are really getting a diamond in the rough, I’m not going to lie to you,” Griffin told the media, “Everyone thinks it’s a sentimental story but Shaquem Griffin doesn’t think like that. I am a football player,” Griffin said.
The 2016 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Shaquem posted the fastest 40-Yard Dash for a linebacker at the NFL Combine since 2003 with a 4.38.
Griffin was the core of the defense for the Knights in 2017, and was named Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Defensive MVP. Shaquem finished his career at UCF with 18.5 sacks, two interceptions and 175 total tackles.