Stephen Griffin is used to moving around, both in his journey to NC State, and when it comes to different positions on the field.
The 6-foot-3, 211-pound Griffin is lining up at nickel for the Wolfpack, but he also knows other defensive back positions from his time at Tennessee. Griffin lamented the last time he played in a game that counted, he had a tackle and the Volunteers topped Nebraska 38-24 in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, 2016. The previous UT game, he started at strong safety and had two tackles and a pass broken up during a 45-34 road loss at Vanderbilt. Griffin mostly played free safety, but Tennessee had a variety of defensive back injuries in 2016.
Griffin left the Tennessee football shortly after the bowl game, and eventually settled on transferring to NC State. He is excited to show what he’s learned during his redshirt season, and the Wolfpack are eager to have a defensive back with past Division I experience. Griffin had 18 tackles, broke up four passes and forced a fumble in 19 college games.
“It’s been an interesting journey, going to Tennessee where I had a good experience over there,” Griffin said. “I just had to make a move and it was a blessing that I got an opportunity at this place. I’m real happy to be there.”
Griffin figures he played in about two series in the Tennessee bowl game. The wait isn’t easy, but he’s eager to make his NCSU debut against James Madison next September.
“It’s going to be great and it will be exciting,” Griffin said. “I can’t wait to get back out there and show people what I can do.
“I think I’ve changed tremendously [in the last year]. I’ve gotten a lot better in my overall game. My cover skills and just understanding the game a whole lot more and my football IQ.”
Griffin played strong safety during his redshirt year, but when bowl practices began last December, the coaches wanted to try him at nickel. The move has stuck.
“I guess I did pretty good because they said they liked me at that spot,” Griffin said. “There is a lot more man coverage and a lot more owning guys in coverage. At nickel, you are basically playing corner, safety and linebacker. You have to be very versatile.”
Griffin lived in a variety of cities growing up, and started his prep career at Yorktown (Va.) Tabb, before returning to Charlotte, where he had spent some time before. Griffin became a Rivals.com three-star prospect at South Mecklenburg High, and he was the No. 45 safety in the country. He had an impressive offer list and officially visited Tennessee and North Carolina before picking the Volunteers.
Griffin played a variety of positions at South Meck, which has aided him in college.
“I played quarterback, wide receiver, every DB position, so I got a lot of versatility at South Meck,” Griffin said.
Griffin learned from older fellow defensive backs Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Mosely and Brian Randolph when he was at Tennessee. He did the same from former nickel and strong safety Shawn Boone upon his arrival at NC State.
“I’ve learned a lot [from Boone] because he’s a smart guy,” Griffin said. “He has helped me out with the defense and he’s a real cerebral player.”
The other noticeable difference since high school for Griffin is that he’s gained close to 30 pounds. He feels he could be the strongest safety/nickel on the roster, but knows Dexter Wright could also make a good case.
“When I first came in to NC State, I was around 199 pounds or 200, and I ended up hitting 214 in the winter,” Griffin said. “That is the heaviest I’ve ever weighed, but I was still fast. I wanted to drop a little bit of weight. I’m feeling good with where I’m at and Coach Thunder [strength and conditioning coach] Dantonio Burnette] does a good job.”
NC State is a one game at a time program, but Griffin knows that playing at Clemson on Oct. 20 will create some interesting comments in his family. His father Steve Griffin played for the Tigers from 1982, 1984-1986, and rushed 136 times for 614 yards and five touchdowns, and he averaged 22.9 yards on 17 kickoff returns his senior year in 1986.
Stephen Griffin is pretty sure his dad will wear red and white walking into Death Valley.
“My dad does a lot of trash talking and he tries to get in my head all the time, but it’s all love,” Griffin said. “My dad has love for the school [NCSU] and he has a good relationship with Coach Doeren.
“I know he’ll definitely be on the NC State side and my mom won’t let him wear any Clemson gear I think.”
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