Shaquill Griffin Bio
Shaquill Griffin is an American professional football cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). 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 Seahawks in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and has since played for several teams including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, and Minnesota Vikings. Shaquill was named to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and is recognized for his strong defensive skills on the field.
Early Life and Background
Shaquill Griffin was born to Tangie and Terry Griffin on July 20, 1995, in St. Petersburg, Florida, less than two minutes before his twin brother Shaquem. The brothers grew up together in the same household and competed side by side in track, baseball, and football throughout their childhood. Their close bond and shared athletic interests helped shape Shaquill’s early development as a competitive athlete.
Griffin attended Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he played high school football for the Spartans. His performances at Lakewood drew the attention of several college programs, and he ultimately chose to attend the University of Central Florida, in part to play alongside his twin brother. That decision set the foundation for his rise through the college ranks.
Path to American Football
Griffin played for the UCF Knights from 2013 to 2016, rejecting offers from other programs including the Miami Hurricanes to remain with his brother. He left UCF one season before Shaquem, who had redshirted his freshman year while Shaquill saw early playing time. Across his four college seasons, Griffin steadily built his résumé, recording 49 total tackles, four interceptions, and 15 passes defensed as a senior.
Following his senior year, Griffin accepted an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he recorded three combined tackles playing for Jim Zorn’s American team. He was then invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he finished second in the broad jump, third in the vertical jump, and ran the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash among all defensive backs. NFL draft experts projected him as a third- or fourth-round pick, and he was ranked the 17th-best cornerback prospect by NFLDraftScout.com.
Shaquill Griffin Career
Early Career (2017)
The Seattle Seahawks selected Shaquill Griffin in the third round, 90th overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft, making him the 13th cornerback taken that year. On June 15, 2017, the Seahawks signed him to a four-year, $3.25 million contract that included a signing bonus of $758,620. He joined a defensive unit nicknamed the Legion of Boom for its final season and quickly worked his way up the depth chart behind veterans Richard Sherman, Jeremy Lane, and Neiko Thorpe.
Griffin made his professional regular season debut in the Seahawks’ season-opener at the Green Bay Packers and recorded a season-high ten combined tackles after Lane’s ejection. By October, he had earned his first career start and never relinquished the role, finishing his rookie year with 59 combined tackles, 15 pass deflections, one interception, and one sack in 15 games and 11 starts.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2021–2022)
On March 17, 2021, Griffin signed a three-year, $44.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his first season with the team, he posted 49 total tackles, seven passes defended, and one forced fumble in 14 games and starts, establishing himself as a reliable presence in the Jaguars’ secondary.
Griffin’s second season in Jacksonville was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on October 26, 2022, after suffering a back injury in Week 6. He appeared in and started five games, recording 29 total tackles and four passes defended. On March 8, 2023, the Jaguars released him, opening the door for the next chapter of his career.
Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers (2023)
On May 13, 2023, Griffin signed with the Houston Texans in search of a fresh opportunity. He appeared in 10 games with six starts before being released on November 29, 2023. The very next day, on November 30, 2023, Griffin was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers, giving him a quick turnaround and a chance to contribute late in the season.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2024)
On March 19, 2024, Griffin signed with the Minnesota Vikings as he continued his journey across the league. His time in Minnesota gave him another opportunity to compete at a high level and add to his defensive résumé as a veteran cornerback.
Seattle Seahawks Second Stint (2025–Present)
On June 25, 2025, Griffin signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, the team that originally drafted him in 2017. He was released on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, then promoted to the active roster on September 11. After subsequent practice squad and active roster moves through November and December, Griffin continued to provide depth and experience for Seattle’s secondary.
Notable Events and Milestones
Griffin recorded his first career interception on December 31, 2017, off a pass attempt by Drew Stanton during a 26–24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He was named to the Pro Bowl on January 17, 2020, as an alternate, recognizing his strong 2019 campaign. He was also reunited with his twin brother Shaquem Griffin in 2018 after Shaquem was drafted by the Seahawks in the fifth round.
Shaquill Griffin Career Wins
Across his professional career, Shaquill Griffin has built a reputation as a dependable starting cornerback. Through the 2025 season, his career totals include 414 combined tackles, nine interceptions, 70 pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one sack, reflecting consistent production in coverage and run support.
Seattle Seahawks Highlights
During his first stint with the Seahawks from 2017 to 2020, Griffin started 54 games and developed into one of the team’s top young cornerbacks. His most productive season came in 2019, when he recorded 65 total tackles and 13 passes defended and earned Pro Bowl honors as an alternate. In 2020, he set a single-season career high with three interceptions.
Other Wins and Performances
Griffin earned Second-team All-AAC honors in 2016 during his senior year at UCF, capping a steady college climb. His veteran experience and coverage skills have allowed him to remain a contributing defensive back throughout multiple stops in the NFL.
Shaquill Griffin Family
Family Background and Twin Bond
Shaquill was born to Tangie Griffin and Terry Griffin and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. His twin brother, Shaquem Griffin, is a former NFL linebacker who also played college football at UCF before being drafted by the Seahawks in 2018. The brothers’ decision to play together at the college level shaped Shaquill’s path to the professional ranks.
Personal Life
Griffin has built much of his adult life around football and family, with his twin brother remaining one of his closest companions. The two were reunited as teammates in Seattle during the 2018 season, a moment that carried deep personal significance for both.
2025 Season Performance
Shaquill Griffin returned to the Seattle Seahawks in 2025 on a one-year, $3 million contract, marking an emotional homecoming with the franchise that drafted him. His season included multiple transitions between the practice squad and the active roster, reflecting both the competitive nature of the cornerback group and the team’s continued trust in his experience.
Despite the roster movement, Griffin remained a steady veteran presence in Seattle’s secondary whenever called upon. His familiarity with the Seahawks’ defensive system and culture from his first stint made him a reliable option for the coaching staff.
Looking ahead, Griffin continues to provide depth and leadership for the Seahawks as the 2025 season progresses. His career trajectory, marked by perseverance through several teams and a Pro Bowl nod, underlines his value as a trusted professional cornerback.