The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Evolution of a defender: Michael Griffin
08.18.2004 | Football
In his last two years at Bowie High in Austin, Texas, he rushed for 2,127 yards. The All-CenTex running back also scored 25 touchdowns during that time. So, when sophomore Michael Griffin joined his hometown Texas Longhorns last fall, it was no surprise he made an immediate impact. The surprise was that the impact came on the defensive side of the ball.
"I was recruited more as an athlete," explained the 6-0, 200-pound sophomore. "Some schools wanted me at running back, some at wide receiver and some at cornerback, but I didn't care what position I played. I said I'd play whichever position was going to get me on the field the earliest."
But, Griffin's focus on becoming a safety presented a whole new group of challenges.
"Basically, I went from being the guy who was trying to score the ball to the guy who is trying to stop people from scoring."
It sounds simple, but it meant a change in attitude, technique and, basically, Griffin's entire approach to the game.
"When you're playing running back or anywhere on offense, you know what is supposed to happen when the ball is snapped," Griffin said. "Because of that, you can let your instincts take over and just play. "
Conversely, Griffin made it perfectly clear that when you play defense, the scheme must be executed perfectly in order for the defense as a unit to be effective.
"A running back has a certain amount of freedom that you just don't have on the defensive side of the ball," Griffin explained." There are strict rules that need to be followed, so if X happens then I have to do something, but if Y happens then I have to do something totally different. It becomes instinctive, but it takes a while, and I've still got plenty to learn."
Co-Defensive Coordinator and Griffin's position coach Duane Akina has seen Griffin work to make the transition to safety since he stepped on to 40 Acres.
"Michael's got a tremendous amount of physical ability, which is fortunate, because shifting from offense to defense is not an easy thing to do," Akina said. "He's already improved his game immensely from the spring."
Often times, physical tools can help mask some mental mistakes, but Griffin believes that if he is going to become the player he wants to be, it is the mental part that he'll have to continue to master.
"At first, I had to train myself not to look at the ball all the time," Griffin said. "Now I'm in to reading the play or my particular man and knowing what I'm supposed to be doing, whom I'm helping and where my help is. Every day is part of the learning process."
His fellow secondary mates have also had a chance to witness Griffin's transition. The man who currently holds the starting position at strong safety, Michael Huff, sees some of the versatility in Griffin that has made him so valuable to the team.
"In my opinion, he's got the coverage skills that would allow him to be an excellent cornerback as well as safety," Huff said. "His transition to the secondary is coming along great."
Junior cornerback Cedric Griffin agrees.
"Michael is big, strong and has a natural instinct to play in the secondary. His intelligence is what is going to make the difference in him becoming an excellent safety."
Greg Robinson, who is in his first year as Co-Defensive Coordinator, sees some things in Griffin that make him think the young safety has a chance to be another in the long line of stars to come out of UT's secondary.
"He's got a nice temperament for defense," Robinson said. "He can really cover ground and is a big hitter, which is what you need at the strong safety position. He's willing to do what it takes to become a great safety. It's only a matter of time before he has a major impact on Texas football."
For someone whose high school stat line centered on rushing success, Michael Griffin has come a long way in just over a year. His transformation from offensive star to defensive standout is continuing. With the attitude and work ethic he has shown, the sky is the limit for this rapidly rising Longhorn defender.
