'14 WA DT Marcus Griffin

[Emcee77]

Defensive Tackle
Bellevue, WA
Bellevue HS

Height: 6'3
Weight: 300

Rankings:
247: #52 DT #7 WA
247Comp: #62 DT #8 WA #914 Overall
Scout: #28 DT
Rivals: #4 WA
ESPN: #97 DT #10 WA

Offers:
Washington State
Arizona
Cal
Colorado State
Idaho
Nevada
UTEP
Washington
Wyoming


<iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lcF6oO9b1uk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Emcee77]

Recently decommitted from Washington State. ND has made contact, per Wiltfong, and asked to see film. Offer may be forthcoming, depending in part on his actual height. He's listed at 6'3" but apparently there is some question about whether he is actually that tall.

 

[Folsteam_Ahead]

a wild DT appeared

 

[PANDFAN]

Size-Strength-Speed
Prospect with good overall size at this stage and looks to carry his weight well with room to still on pack on some additional good mass. Displays adequate initial quicks for size. Displays good lower body playing strength, but needs to look to improve upper body strength.
Versus the Run
Can be a stout presence inside displaying the ability to fire out with pad level and gain leverage and hold his ground versus single- and double-team blocks. Needs to improve hand usage and work to extend quicker as he can get low and maintain with a good base, but can let blockers into his frame and struggle to play off blocks and at times get rooted out and give ground. Flashes adequate lateral mobility to be active between the tackles. Can work to improve recognition skills.
Pass Rush Skills
Strength at this stage looks to be as a run defender and may be more of a two-down player at the next level. Has some bull rush ability to press the pocket some as he can fire out low. Needs to learn to be more active with his weapons.
Toughness/Motor
Displays a good motor. Range is marginal, but gives effort to retrace and pursue on the plays on the perimeter. Needs to better utilize size and improve strength, but will battle in the trenches. An adequate wrap-up, drag-down tackler.
Bottom Line
With some development, Griffin can grow into a tough interior run defender. Also has experience as a center and a career on the O-Line is very possible. We wouldn't be surprised to see him eventually land on that side of the ball as he may offer more to a team in the long term in the offensive trenches.
insider

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Marcus Griffin 2014 DT announced ASU, Arizona, WSU, Cal, UCLA, Boise State + Colorado State as favorites after decommitment.</p>— Sports ✎ Recruits (@SportsRecruits) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsRecruits/statuses/400029266714181632">November 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Emcee77]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Marcus Griffin 2014 DT announced ASU, Arizona, WSU, Cal, UCLA, Boise State + Colorado State as favorites after decommitment.</p>— Sports ✎ Recruits (@SportsRecruits) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsRecruits/statuses/400029266714181632">November 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hmm, well as yet he doesn't even have an offer from some of his "favorites" (namely ASU, UCLA, and Boise State).

 

[PANDFAN]

was at the opening and will be playing in the Semper Fi All American game

 

[Big23Head]

Recently decommitted from Washington State. ND has made contact, per Wiltfong, and asked to see film. Offer may be forthcoming, depending in part on his actual height. He's listed at 6'3" but apparently there is some question about whether he is actually that tall.

His own Hudl video and the Nike Opening results list him at 6'2", 296#

 

[GBdomer]

We put all our eggs in Matt Elams basket and he isn't coming here. I'm not sure how the staff recruits DT's or ILB. I don't think anyone does.

 

[ResLife Hero]

I hate to say this, but with our depth issues and the loss of Nix after this year, how is someone like this not getting an actionable offer STAT? I hate not taking guys like Erik Brown, but I somewhat understand it when you look at the depth chart. LBs and DTs should be shown the royal treatment at this point IMHO.

 

[Luckylucci]

We put all our eggs in Matt Elams basket and he isn't coming here. I'm not sure how the staff recruits DT's or ILB. I don't think anyone does.

To be fair we currently have verbals from 2 DT's, Hayes and Dickerson. What we haven't done well is recruit NT's or zero technique. I'd really like to see Griffin get an offer.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Reslife, I have to agree with you. I am very concerned with this too.

DT's--lose Nix, Kona, Tyler (ok, 4th or 5th string)
DE's/DT--Tuitt

And Tony is coming back from a big knee injury. And we have ZERO DT's in the 2013 Class.
Now, JOnes looks a little too tall and stiff in the middle. That may change with more time and strength. Day is there, but has battled injuries the past two years. Can he stay healthy for an entire season?

And LB's--we lose Spond, Carlo, Fox 2 of the 3 are not huge losses
But, Grace and Counsell are coming back from MAJOR leg injuries. Deeb is young, and Randolph is coming back from Injury.

So, only 2 of our 4 backers are coming back with no injuries. And the one not named Jaylon hasn't played a down.

Not a lot to look forward too on our defensive line and line backers. We only have 1 impact guy on our d-line and line backer. But, guys that can play.

If I am looking at the team next year, we will have to outscore teams by a lot next year. Too many holes on the dline and linebacker role IMO. Rochell/Springman/Day--does that intimidate any team? Great guys, but not impact type guys. Backers Jaylon/Deeb/Grace/Counsell limited on the speed side outside of Jaylon.

So, we have to outscore teams. And I think we can. TE's Back, running backs all coming back (unless transfer), WR only losing Jones (huge though), losing our super stud left tackle and Watt. Watt is replaceable, but Martin will be harder. And A QB will be here not named Tommy. That can't be bad. Zaire or EG. Why would Andrew want to stick around for a 5th year??? At least any of the 3 can actually run. All can throw Ints just as well as Tommy, so we really can't be worse. 7-5 or 8-5 is the best Tommy can do (proved it in 2 freshman and senior) I'd rather go with a freshman that can run instead of a statue that throws INTS.

Lot of issues, but there are guys that can be really impactful. The problem will be on defense. IMO.

 

[IRISHMAN]

would really like to see ND offer this kid and try to make a serious run at him. at 6'3 I wonder if the staff feels he doesn't fit their height profile they look for at DT (6'3 hasn't hurt Louis nix). imo his film is better that matt elams and I feel he's just as good as Thomas holley. a DT with good size and incredible speed and quickness.

 

[GoIrish41]

would really like to see ND offer this kid and try to make a serious run at him. at 6'3 I wonder if the staff feels he doesn't fit their height profile they look for at DT (6'3 hasn't hurt Louis nix). imo his film is better that matt elams and I feel he's just as good as Thomas holley. a DT with good size and incredible speed and quickness.

Nix isn't 6-3. I assume this kid would be a NT prospect and I think you wan't shorter guys there, no?

 

[Emcee77]

would really like to see ND offer this kid and try to make a serious run at him. at 6'3 I wonder if the staff feels he doesn't fit their height profile they look for at DT (6'3 hasn't hurt Louis nix). imo his film is better that matt elams and I feel he's just as good as Thomas holley. a DT with good size and incredible speed and quickness.

No, I don't think so. I think 6'3" is perfect for a NT.

I got the impression from Wiltfong's post that if Griffin is actually 6'3", that's great, the staff is pleased with that. The staff's concern is that his listed height might be inaccurate. Wiltfong didn't explain further.

 

[Emcee77]

Nix isn't 6-3. I assume this kid would be a NT prospect and I think you wan't shorter guys there, no?

Nix is 6'3". At least he is listed at 6'3".

Louis Nix Bio - UND.COM - University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site

 

[IRISHMAN]

No, I don't think so. I think 6'3" is perfect for a NT.

I agree, 6'3 300 lbs NT would seem to be ideal. also pitts stud DT isn't all that big either and he's had a pretty good couple of years.

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Bellevue (Wash) DT Marcus Griffin heads back into the recruiting process with an open mind, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NotreDame&src=hash">#NotreDame</a> interest ($): <a href="http://t.co/XQuRCAOENe">http://t.co/XQuRCAOENe</a></p>— Jake Brown (@Jake_Brown) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jake_Brown/statuses/400289761127960576">November 12, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Domina Nostra]

It's better to be shorter, leverage-wise, but it gets harder and harder to distribute 300 lbs the shorter you are!

Mr. Nix wears it so well!

 

[Emcee77]

It's better to be shorter, leverage-wise, but it gets harder and harder to distribute 300 lbs the shorter you are!

I think you nailed it. You want your NT to be shorter than the OL he's up against but tall enough to distribute the right amount of weight. 6'3" is a great height for a NT.

 

[NYIrish14]

Don't care how tall he is, ND needs a freaking NT

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

We are in dire need. Day isn't one, we lose kona/mix and tony is recovering. Jones is too tall, and Eddie transferred, and tommy schutts scholarship was pulled and he went to Osu.

We need help, we need some true zero tech guys. If not we have to go back to a 4-3. Not stay in a 3-4.

 

[Cali_domer]

Don't care how tall he is, ND needs a freaking NT

This... 3'9 to 6'11 is okay in my book. 3'9 350 sounds like the ideal though.

 

[anarin]

We are in dire need. Day isn't one, we lose kona/mix and tony is recovering. Jones is too tall, and Eddie transferred, and tommy schutts scholarship was pulled and he went to Osu.

We need help, we need some true zero tech guys. If not we have to go back to a 4-3. Not stay in a 3-4.

Explain to me why you would switch to a 4-3 if you are low on DT numbers?

 

[Rack Em]

Explain to me why you would switch to a 4-3 if you are low on DT numbers?

He means NG numbers. We have more DT-type bodies than NG-type bodies.

 

[BeauBenken]

Explain to me why you would switch to a 4-3 if you are low on DT numbers?

Because he is thinking you can move some SDE guys inside.

 

[Luckylucci]

Because he is thinking you can move some SDE guys inside.

Yes, and CAT LB's then play DE.

 

[IrishLax]

4-3 works because almost every SDE we have is well-suited for the DT position in that alignment, and those that aren't are fits for DE. Many (not all) of the CAT LB players we have are also good fits as pass rushing DEs.

So you could have a healthy rotation of players with solid depth and simultaneously account for recruiting gaps. That is, you don't need a true NG and only need one ILB. It makes a lot of sense and I actually wrote an article on it earlier this year when I saw the writing on the wall in terms of ILB issues... and we're going to run it in the offseason after we see how this recruiting class finishes up.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Yes, to run a 3-4 you better have a true NT/NG. Like Nix. You need him to stuff the middle. And then the ILB stuff the gaps. Now we are running into two huge problems. Really we are short on NT and ILB. Musts in this scheme. We have Deeb and 2 guys coming off major knee and leg injuries. And our #1 NT in Tony coming off serious knee injury too. So, what are we going to do? You can convert easy enough to DE, but harder to a true NT.

Kona was smallish coming in, and now grown into it. But, how many years? 2+ We don't have that kind of time. So, we need new guys coming in at that weight IMO.

I look BK and Diaco to change some of our guys coming to ILB.

Some gaping holes, hopefully they can fill. And not to mention losing our2/3 of our true pass rush in Shembo and Tuitt.

I guess we have some interesting things to look forward to.

Go Irish

 

[NDPhilly]

2014 possible 4-3 starting front 7


Ishaq-Tuitt-Day-Okwara

Jaylon-Grace-Councell


That's pretty damn good if Tuitt comes back.