The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1000643
JULY 2018 ■ 103 NICKELS Baker-Williams could play nickel, but he may also start at safety. All the newcomers could have the ideal role model to emulate in Griffin. "Obviously after losing Shawn Boone last year it was a key piece to try to find an older guy," Henry said. "We ended up getting one. I think he's going to be an asset to this defense. If he can make the jump that he made from the time he got here to the start of spring and from the start of spring to the end of spring, we are going to be more than fine this year. "I'm going to be very, very thrilled if he makes that kind of jump as we head into the season." ■ Getting To Know: Stephen Griffin 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 6-3, 211-pound Griffin is lining up at nickel for the Wolfpack, but he also knows other defensive back positions from his time at Tennessee. The last time Griffin 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 loss at Vanderbilt. Griffin mostly played free safety during his 19 games with the Vols, and made 18 tackles, broke up four passes and forced a fumble. He left Tennessee 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 will benefit from a defensive back with past Division I experience. "It's been an interesting journey, going from Tennessee, where I had a good experi - ence," Griffin said. "I just had to make a move and it was a blessing that I got an opportu- nity at this place. I'm real happy to be here." Griffin figures he played in about two series in the Tennessee bowl game. The layoff wasn't easy, so he's eager to make his NCSU debut against James Madison in September. "It's going to be great and it will be exciting," he 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 [have improved]." He 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 — at South Mecklenburg High. Rivals.com rated him as a three-star prospect and the No. 45 safety in the country. He had an impressive offer list, and officially visited Tennessee and North Carolina before he picked the Volunteers. He 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. One 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 fifth-year senior 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 hit - ting 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 [director of strength and con- ditioning Dantonio Burnette] does a good job." NC State is a one game at a time program, but Griffin knows that playing at Clemson Oct. 20 will create some interesting comments in his family. His father, Steve Griffin, played for the Tigers from 1982-86. During his senior year in 1986, he rushed 136 times for 614 yards and five touchdowns while also averaging 22.9 yards on 17 kickoff returns. 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 I think my mom won't let him wear any Clemson gear." — Jacey Zembal Griffin transferred to NC State from Tennessee and sat out last season. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Quick Facts Position Coach: Aaron Henry (second season) Returning Starter: None Starter Lost: Shawn Boone (27 career starts) FYI: Athlon ranks the NCSU defensive backs No. 9 in the ACC … Coming out of high school, Griffin was the No. 18 player in the 2015 class in the state of North Carolina … Redshirt junior Stephen Morrison began last season at receiver before moving to nickel … Redshirt junior Freddie Phillips Jr. was ranked by Rivals.com the No. 16 player in the state of South Carolina in the 2015 class. ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starter **½ There is a chance that by the end of the season redshirt junior Stephen Griffin could be higher than this grade, but for now his rating is based on the expectation of what he brings to the position. Experience *½ Griffin got his feet wet at Tennessee, even starting a contest as a sophomore, but it was all at the safety position. The other nickels are a converted receiver, a converted safety coming off two surgeries and an incoming freshman. Depth *½ Nickels coach Aaron Henry admits that finding reliable reserves behind Griffin will be one of his top challenges during preseason camp. Overall grade ** There is little proven experience and depth, but Griffin's upside has produced genuine excitement among the defensive coaches that he can handle the position.