96 Marcus Griffin
Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 7:42 am
Griffin is a 6-0, 300 redshirt Sophomore from Bellevue, WA. It is hard not to label Griffin's first year on the field as a major disappointment. After being a heralded recruit and redshirting a year, Griffin entered last year expected to be a contributor by the fan base, but only played in 3 games and had just 2 tackles.
Fortunately, a new defensive coaching staff and a new defensive line scheme are providing Griffin a fresh chance to prove himself on the field. Gabe Encinas, AZDS, had an optimistic interview with Griffin and his future as a Wildcat. Here are most of Griffin's quotes:
96 is also the number of 3rd down conversions the Arizona defense allowed last year on 209 attempts by opponents (46%). For comparison, Arizona made just 78 3rd down conversions on 190 attempts (41%)."It's a fresh clean slate. I don't think I necessarily needed it but it helps, especially with this new defense we're going to have."
There's a different feel with the defensive staff now. A renewed energy seems to be in the air and it's contagious. Coming off a disappointing season in 2015, things are quickly changing.
"It's just contagious. Vince [Amey] is a high-spirited guy. He wants to have fun but loves to work. It just makes you want to go harder, go faster just because you see that energy and want to feed off of it."
"Yeah I think that's the whole theme of this defense," Griffin added when I brought up bringing back the Desert Swarm defense. "We want to bring back the fun and swagger. We didn't really bring the swagger last year. But as of now and how it looks, what people are saying, we're going to have a swagger this season and I think everyone is going to like it."
"I'm playing more defensive tackle and defensive end right now, I haven't been put in the nose yet but we'll see what happens. If I do then I do, if I don't then I don't," he said about his position on the defensive line.
No. 96 Kickoff Return Average, Game: 52.7 yards, Theopolis âTâ Bell at BYU, Nov. 1, 1975 (3 for 158)