Cedric Griffin

Griffin was selected in the second round (number 48 overall) by the Minnesota Vikings.^[4] According to the UT football website:

Griffin joins Michael Huff (No. 7 overall) as the second Longhorn defensive back chosen in the 2006 draft, marking the first time since 1997 two have been selected in the same draft when Bryant Westbrook was chosen by the Detroit Lions in the first round and Taje Allen was picked by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round... Along with Huff, Griffin's selection gives the Longhorns a defensive back selection in four of the past five drafts... Griffin is the first Longhorn selected by the Vikings since DT John Haines in 1984. The Longhorns have now had at least three players drafted in each of the last four years.^[5]

Griffin is the highest-drafted defensive back chosen by the Vikings since Orlando Thomas (number 42 overall) was selected in 1995. Counting Griffin, the Vikings have taken five players over the past five NFL drafts who have come into the NFL with a college national championship to their credit. The others (with school and draft year) are Bryant McKinnie (University of Miami – 2002), Kenechi Udeze (University of Southern California – 2004), Darrion Scott (Ohio State University – 2004), Dustin Fox (Ohio State University – 2005), and Percy Harvin (University of Florida – 2009).^[1]

Griffin came into training camp with the expectation of being the team's nickel or dime back (3rd or 4th cornerback). When second year man Dovonte Edwards went down with a broken arm in the preseason many people believe it would be Griffin who would step into the Nickelback role that was vacated by Edwards when he went down with an injury. Instead the Vikings chose to go with Ronyell Whitaker. Griffin began getting more and more playing time as the season played on, eventually Griffin overtook a starting cornerback spot from prized free agent signing from two years earlier Fred Smoot. Griffin played well as a rookie and impressed the coaching staff. He recorded his first career interception against the Detroit Lions. During the 2007 season he struggled as a starter, recording zero interceptions and getting beat often. But in 2008, he played well, recording over 100 tackles and one interception.

He was due to be a free agent after 2009 season. But on March 21, 2009, the Vikings re-signed Griffin to a five-year contract for a total of a little more than $25 million. The contract contained $10 million in guaranteed money.

In 2009, he led the team with 4 interceptions, while recording 78 tackles and forcing three fumbles. The Vikings made it all the way to the NFC Championship against the New Orleans Saints. In the game, Griffin tore the Anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, which was successfully repaired in the offseason. Griffin rehabilitated throughout the pre-season and was able to return in 2010 to play in the Vikings' Week 3 victory over the Detroit Lions. However, during the Vikings' Week 5 loss against the New York Jets Griffin sustained an injury to his right knee (he had previously injured his left knee in the 2009 NFC Championship). However, the next day, after undergoing an MRI it was determined that Griffin had torn the ACL in his right knee and he was placed on season ending injured reserve. The Vikings terminated Griffin's contract on March 10, 2012.

Griffin signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Washington Redskins on March 16, 2012.^[6] Late in the first half of the 2012 season opener against the New Orleans Saints, he tackled Marques Colston as the latter was heading towards the endzone and caused him to fumble. The ball then rolled out of the back of the end zone and was ruled a touchback, which helped the Redskins beat the Saints, 40 to 32.^[7] On December 4, Griffin was suspended for four games due to violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The next day it was confirmed that he tested positive for Adderall.^[8]

With his suspension over, Griffin was returned to the Redskins' active roster on January 4, 2013.^[9][10]

^[11]

• Texas Longhorns bio Archived 2012-06-16 at the Wayback Machine