Dolphins sign former UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin, former FAU corner Cre’Von LeBlanc
The Miami Dolphins are still trying to bolster their defense ahead of the 2021 NFL season, and they’ve landed on Shaquem Griffin and Cre’von LeBlanc as a pair of late-offseason additions.
Griffin, who made history in 2018 as the first one-handed player ever drafted into the NFL, spent the last three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks after the Seahawks picked him in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Griffin, a 26-year-old outside linebacker, has 25 career tackles and recorded his first regular-season sack last season. The 6-foot, 227-pound linebacker also sacked star Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the 2019-20 NFL playoffs.
Griffin was born with amniotic band syndrome, causing the fingers on his left hand to not fully develop. At 4, Griffin had the hand amputated, but continued to play football, baseball, and track and field alongside twin brother Shaquill Griffin.
The Griffins played the last four seasons in Seattle before Shaquill Griffin, who was a Pro Bowl cornerback in 2019, signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in March. This will be the first time the brothers have played on separate teams.
The Griffins, who are originally from St. Petersburg, played together at Lakewood High School, then both went to play for the UCF Knights and earned American Athletic Conference honors. Shaquem Griffin was even a second-team All-American in 2018 and got his shot in the NFL after he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. It was the fastest time recorded by a linebacker since the NFL began releasing official Scouting Combine statistics.
LeBlanc, who went Glades Central High School in Belle Glade and played four seasons for the FAU Owls, has started 16 games in five seasons with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old cornerback has 118 career tackles with three tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He also returned an interception for a touchdown as an undrafted rookie in 2016, and has carved out a niche as a physical nickelback at 5-10 and 190 pounds.
Griffin is a potential fit with what coach Brian Flores likes from his defensive players. He’s versatile, capable of playing linebacker and defensive back and a willing special-teams player.
Miami is looking for another potential starting outside linebacker after cutting linebacker Kyle Van Noy in March. Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah is in good position to start at one spot, while linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel, Vince Biegel and rookie Jaelan Phillips are among the contenders at the other.
As for LeBlanc, he could find a role in the slot for Miami — and provides insurance in the secondary if the Dolphins trade All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard at some point. For now, LeBlanc joins a cornerback group that also includes Howard, former All-Pro corner Byron Jones, Noah Igbinoghene, Jason McCourty and more.
This story was originally published July 23, 2021 at 11:13 AM.
