Shaquill Griffin

Shaquill Griffin Bio

Shaquill Griffin is an American professional football cornerback who currently plays for the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League. Born on July 20, 1995, in St. Petersburg, Florida, Griffin played college football at the University of Central Florida alongside his twin brother Shaquem Griffin. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and has built a professional career spanning multiple NFL franchises. Griffin earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019 and is recognized for his strong defensive instincts and coverage abilities on the field.

Early Life and Background

Shaquill Griffin was born to Tangie and Terry Griffin on July 20, 1995, in St. Petersburg, Florida, arriving less than two minutes before his twin brother Shaquem. The Griffin twins grew up together in Florida and competed alongside each other in multiple sports including track, baseball, and football throughout their youth. Their shared athletic journey created a bond that would continue throughout their football careers at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Griffin attended Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he played high school football for the Spartans. His performance as a defensive player caught the attention of college scouts from across the country. After graduating from Lakewood High School, Griffin chose to continue his football career at the University of Central Florida, where he would have the opportunity to play alongside his twin brother.

Path to Professional Football

Griffin played for the University of Central Florida Knights from 2013 to 2016, rejecting offers from other programs including the Miami Hurricanes, which was his dream school, to stay with his brother. His collegiate career showed steady improvement each season, with his production increasing significantly as he gained experience and confidence at the cornerback position. He became a reliable starter for the Knights defense and developed the coverage skills that would translate to the professional level.

As a freshman, Griffin recorded six total tackles and one pass defensed in four games. His sophomore season saw modest improvement with 15 total tackles and one interception in six games. Griffin made a significant jump during his junior year, recording 43 total tackles, one interception returned for a touchdown against Temple, and 11 passes defensed in 11 games. As a senior, he recorded 49 total tackles, four interceptions including one returned for a touchdown against Tulane, 15 passes defensed, and one fumble recovery. His strong senior season earned him Second-team All-AAC honors in 2016 and positioned him for the NFL Draft.

Shaquill Griffin Career

Seattle Seahawks (2017–2020)

Griffin entered the NFL when the Seattle Seahawks selected him in the third round with the 90th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the 13th cornerback selected in that draft class. On June 15, 2017, Griffin signed a four-year contract worth $3.25 million with a $758,620 signing bonus. He joined a Seahawks defense that was in its final season of the Legion of Boom era, learning from established veterans while competing for playing time.

During training camp, Griffin competed against Jeremy Lane, DeShawn Shead, and Neiko Thorpe for the starting cornerback position. Head coach Pete Carroll named Griffin the fourth cornerback on the depth chart behind Richard Sherman, Jeremy Lane, and Neiko Thorpe entering the regular season. He made his professional debut in the season-opener at the Green Bay Packers and recorded a season-high ten combined tackles in that game after Lane was ejected in the first quarter. Griffin earned his first career start in Week 5 after Lane suffered a groin injury and continued as the starter even after Lane returned to health.

Griffin missed time during the season after suffering a concussion in Week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons, but he returned to finish the year strong. He recorded his first career sack on Dak Prescott in Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys and secured his first career interception in the season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, picking off Drew Stanton. Griffin finished his rookie season with 59 combined tackles, 15 pass deflections, one sack, and one interception in 15 games with 11 starts.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2021–2022)

After four seasons with the Seahawks, Griffin signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 17, 2021, agreeing to a three-year contract worth $44.5 million. The move represented a significant opportunity for Griffin to be a primary starter for a franchise looking to rebuild its defense. In his first season with the Jaguars, Griffin recorded 49 total tackles, seven passes defensed, and one forced fumble in 14 games and starts.

The 2022 season proved challenging for Griffin as he suffered a back injury in Week 6. He was placed on injured reserve on October 26, 2022, limiting him to just five games that year. Griffin finished the abbreviated season with 29 total tackles and four passes defensed. The Jaguars released him on March 8, 2023, ending his tenure with the franchise after two seasons.

Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers (2023)

Griffin signed with the Houston Texans on May 13, 2023, seeking to restart his career with a young team. He appeared in ten games with six starts for the Texans before being released on November 29, 2023. Just one day later, on November 30, 2023, Griffin was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers, adding him to their secondary for the remainder of the season.

Minnesota Vikings (2024)

On March 19, 2024, Griffin signed with the Minnesota Vikings, joining another NFC North franchise. He spent the 2024 season with the Vikings, continuing his journey through the league as a veteran presence in various defensive backfields. The 2024 season marked another chapter in Griffin’s journeyman career in the NFL.

Seattle Seahawks Return (2025–Present)

On June 25, 2025, Griffin signed a one-year contract worth $3 million to return to the Seattle Seahawks, the team that originally drafted him in 2017. This reunion brought Griffin back to the franchise where he began his professional career and achieved his greatest individual success. He was released during training camp but re-signed to the practice squad, eventually earning a promotion to the active roster. The return to Seattle represented a homecoming for Griffin, who continues to contribute to the Seahawks secondary.

Playing Style and Strengths

Griffin is known for his physical style of play and ability to shadow receivers throughout their routes. His footwork and agility allow him to stay competitive in both press coverage and off-coverage schemes. He demonstrates good instincts for reading quarterbacks and has shown the ability to make plays on the ball, as evidenced by his interception totals throughout his career. His experience in multiple defensive systems has made him a versatile defensive back capable of adapting to various schemes.

Notable Events and Milestones

Griffin’s most significant career milestone came in 2019 when he was named to the Pro Bowl, recognizing his exceptional play during the season. His college career was highlighted by Second-team All-AAC honors during his senior year at UCF. He has demonstrated the ability to make game-changing plays, recording his first career interception and sack during his rookie season with the Seahawks. The reunion with his twin brother Shaquem in Seattle during the 2018 season represented a special moment, as the brothers briefly played together for the team that drafted them both.

Shaquill Griffin Career Statistics

Griffin has compiled impressive statistics across his NFL career spanning multiple teams. His career totals include 414 combined tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 70 pass deflections, and 9 interceptions through the 2025 season. His best statistical seasons came during his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, where he earned the majority of his starts and achieved Pro Bowl recognition.

Career Highlights

Griffin’s rookie season established a strong foundation with 59 tackles, 15 pass deflections, one sack, and one interception. His 2019 Pro Bowl season featured 65 tackles, three interceptions, and 13 passes defensed. Throughout his career, he has shown consistency in making plays on the ball, with his 70 career pass deflections demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposing passing attacks. His versatility has allowed him to contribute across multiple franchises, maintaining his status as a reliable NFL cornerback.

Shaquill Griffin Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Griffin was born to Tangie and Terry Griffin in St. Petersburg, Florida. His twin brother Shaquem Griffin shared his journey throughout their athletic careers, competing together in youth sports before both pursuing football at the University of Central Florida. The brothers have maintained a close relationship throughout their lives, supporting each other through their respective NFL careers. Their shared background in multiple sports helped develop the athletic skills that made them attractive prospects at the collegiate and professional levels.

Personal Life

Beyond football, Griffin has remained connected to his Florida roots while building his professional career across multiple cities. He is known for the special bond he shares with his twin brother, and their story has been featured in various media coverage highlighting their unique journey through football together. Griffin continues to maintain a presence on social media, where he shares glimpses of his life with his supporters and fans following his career.

2025 Season Performance

Griffin returned to the Seattle Seahawks in 2025 on a one-year contract, marking his reunion with the franchise that drafted him eight years earlier. The signing brought Griffin back to a familiar environment where he had experienced his greatest professional success, including his Pro Bowl selection in 2019. After being released during training camp, Griffin cleared waivers and joined the practice squad before eventually earning promotion to the active roster through his performance and dedication.

The 2025 season has provided Griffin with an opportunity to contribute to a Seahawks secondary that values his experience and veteran leadership. His journey through multiple teams since leaving Seattle in 2020 has tested his resilience and adaptability, and his return demonstrates his continued commitment to the game at the highest level. The Seahawks coaching staff has incorporated Griffin into their defensive plans as the season progresses, providing him opportunities to contribute in various situations.