Everson Griffen

Everson Griffen (born December 22, 1987) is an American football defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was selected in the 4th round and 100 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft after playing his college football at the University of Southern California. Griffen was the highest ranked prospect out of Arizona since Terrell Suggs, whom he idolized growing up. He has been described as “one of the rare physical freaks that come around only once in a blue moon.”

High school career
Griffen attended Agua Fria High School in Avondale, Arizona, where he played as defensive lineman and running back. As a junior, he rushed for 794 yards on 142 carries for eight touchdowns, and even had 12 receptions for 168 yards and one amazing 71-yard reception where he out raced everybody for a score. On defense, he was double and triple-teamed but still managed 47 tackles, five sacks and three fumble recoveries. Following that season, Griffen attended the 2005 Arizona summer camp, where he ran a 4.46 sec 40 yard dash; an astonishing feat for a player of his size, which earned him the nickname "The Freak" and led to comparisons to Jevon Kearse.

As a senior, Griffen recorded 77 tackles and 16 sacks, while rushing for 1,250 yards and 22 TDs on 159 carries on the offensive end. Following his high school career, Griffen was selected to play in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl along with fellow USC recruits Marc Tyler, Joe McKnight, and Chris Galippo. He took official visits to USC, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon and UCLA before eventually deciding on the Trojans. Griffen reported a 3.3 core GPA and a 1020 SAT score.

College career
In the fall practice before his freshman season at USC, Griffen and veteran defensive end Kyle Moore got into heated competition that culminated into a fight during practice; the two reconciled and are now friends.

Griffen started for the Trojans as a true freshman, the first true freshman defensive lineman to start an opener for USC in 21 seasons, since Tim Ryan did in 1986 against Illinois. In the 2007 season, Griffen recorded 21 tackles and 5.5 sacks, and was selected to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-American Team. In the Trojans 24-3 victory over Oregon State, Griffen had 3.5 of USC's nine sacks.

During spring practices in 2008, USC coach Pete Carroll staged one of his well known pranks by having the Los Angeles Police Department enter a team meeting and arrest Griffen for “physically abusing a freshman” (Trojans offensive guard Matt Meyer); Griffen was previously aware of the prank.

On July 4, 2009, at Fourth of July party on Nantucket island, Griffen and teammate, linebacker Jordan Campbell, were cited by the Nantucket Police Department for a noise violation; no charges were filed and the two agreed to write a letter of apology.

In 2009, Griffen was second team All Pac-10.

2010 NFL Draft
After USC's 24–13 victory over Boston College in the 2009 Emerald Bowl, Griffen announced he would forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2010 NFL Draft.

Minnesota Vikings
Griffen was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 100th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

On January 28, 2011, Griffen was arrested in Los Angeles for public intoxication. Three days later, he was arrested again after he was found driving with an invalid drivers license. He then tried to flee on foot only to be tasered after allegedly grabbing an officer in the crotch area. On October 11, 2012, Griffen was given an indefinite leave from the team after his mother died.