Chicago Bears: Earth-shattering UCF OLB Shaquem Griffin is a perfect fit
By Ryan Heckman
The Chicago Bears are letting veteran linebackers go like they’re going out of style. Ryan Pace needs to fill those holes. Meet Shaquem Griffin.
Shaquem Griffin is doing more with one hand than 99 percent of men can do with two. The UCF outside linebacker has been busy impressing general managers and coaches at the 2018 NFL Combine this weekend, and the Chicago Bears are one team to look out for on draft day.
Griffin’s hype became even more real after he posted 20 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press Saturday. He said afterwards that he had never done more than 11 — there’s a little bit of a gap there, don’t you think?
What a moment in our Combine coverage today — @Shaquemgriffin putting up 20 reps of 225 with a prosthetic left hand. Inspiring, emotional, wonderful. pic.twitter.com/InLBEFQwS4
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) March 3, 2018
Following up his impressive bench press showing, Griffin gave an encore during his 40-yard dash. It didn’t last long, however.
Why not? It didn’t last long because his first run only took him 4.38 seconds to fly through it. If the official time stands, it is going down as the fastest time in 15 years for a linebacker.
#UCF LB Shaquem Griffin runs the fastest 40 for a LB in over 15 years...
— Nick Gryniewicz (@GetNickG) March 4, 2018
....then wishes his mom happy birthday. That was awesome!
https://t.co/GLJ3OjRexx
One of the more impressive things about the linebacker is his humility and knack for hard work. He’s never let anything slow him down. At the combine, he said he would not only do drills with the linebackers but also with the defensive backs. Talk about a multi-dimensional talent — this guy is the real deal.
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Griffin lost his left arm due to a prenatal condition, but the guy simply loved football. In two years with the Golden Knights, griffin posted 166 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Are you kidding me? Sure, college doesn’t always translate to the pro level. I get it. But, by all accounts, the mind-blowing statistics combined with his combine performance sure add up to what looks to be a legitimately terrifying outside linebacker at the NFL level.
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With Ryan Pace looking for another starter opposite Leonard Floyd, Griffin will be on his radar. That is for certain.