ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The resurgence of UCF Football in 2016 was led by the defense. That defense was led by Shaquem Griffin -- a first-time starter, who was playing linebacker for the first time in his collegiate career.
The coaches of the American Athletic Conference recognized the efforts of Griffin. On Wednesday, as voted on by the coaches, he was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
"I'm overwhelmed with emotions right now," Griffin said. "I have to start off by saying thank you to the man upstairs, without him I wouldn't be the person I am today. Belief and faith take me a long way each and every day. I want to say thank you to the entire UCF program. I've been blessed to have everyone from the coaches to the players stand behind me and help make this season spectacular. It means the world to be able to play this game that I love so much. To be Named Defensive Player of the Year is unbelievable. I couldn't have dreamed of this. I also want to thank my family for always supporting and being there for me every step of the way. I'm forever grateful for all the love and support."
Griffin, a junior, becomes the third Knight to win one of The American's top honors, while the league has only existed for four seasons. He joins Blake Bortles (2013 Offensive Player of the Year) and Jacoby Glenn (2014 Defensive Player of the Year) as Knights who have been recognized as the best on their side of the ball in the American Athletic Conference.
Griffin currently ranks No. 1 in The American and No. 10 in the NCAA in sacks, averaging 0.92 sacks per game. He is No. 2 in the conference and No. 10 in the NCAA in tackles for-loss with an average of 1.6 per game. Griffin also averages more than seven tackles per game, broke up six passes, recovered two fumbles, forced two fumbles and snared an interception.
Shaquem's twin brother Shaquill Griffin was also recognized by the conference. Senior cornerback Shaquill Griffin was named to the American Athletic Conference Second Team. He ranked No. 1 in The American and No. 14 in the nation in passes defended with 16 (four interceptions and 12 pass break-ups).
Junior noseguard Jamiyus Pittman was also named to the American Athletic Conference Second Team. Despite missing two full games and seeing limited action in a number of other contests due to injury, the big man in the middle of the defensive line still garnered a great deal of respect from The American's coaches. He tallied 21 total tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks on the season.
Another Knight defender – senior safety Drico Johnson – was named Honorable Mention All-Conference. Johnson defended seven passes during the regular season, picking off two of them and knocking down the other five. During the Tulane game, Johnson set a school record with two defensive scores. He returned a Green Wave fumble 30 yards to the end zone, before taking an interception back 86 yards for a TD.
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