TSU’s Griffin to get tryout with Vikings
Former Texas Southern wide receiver Derrick Griffin knew his NFL draft experience would begin when the actual draft ended. The 6-6, 240-pounder went undrafted this weekend but was invited to the Minnesota Vikings’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
“I just wanted a shot,” Griffin said. “I got the shot. Now it’s on me to be Derrick Griffin. Be me.”
He was a dual-sport star at TSU, leading the SWAC with 11 touchdown catches as a freshman in 2015 and nabbing a SWAC Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honor after becoming a double-double machine on the basketball court. But he was dismissed from the football team last September for breaking team rules, and he declared for the draft during basketball season.
At Terry High, his dualsport ability made him one of the top prospects in the 2013 class. He committed to Texas A&M and then Miami but couldn’t qualify academically. So he attended two prep schools before landing at TSU in 2014 to play football and basketball.
“My size, my speed,” Griffin said, describing what he hopes to display in Minnesota. “I really bring a lot. End zone or red zone — whatever they need me to do really.”
A&M players go in first 5 rounds
The draft was a showcase for Texas A&M with five Aggies selected in the first five rounds.
Defensive end Myles Garrett went No. 1 overall to Cleveland. Safety Justin Evans went 50th overall in the second round to Tampa Bay. Defensive end Daeshon Hall went 77th overall in the third round to Carolina.
Wide receiver Josh Reynolds was 117th overall in the fourth round to the Los Angeles Rams.
Offensive guard Jermaine Eluemunor was 159th overall in the fifth round to Baltimore.
Area draftees and signees
Texas City product and University of Texas running back D’Onta Foreman went 89th overall in the third round to the Texans. Foreman is expected to spell starter Lamar Miller and possibly contribute from day one . ...
La Marque product and Utah defensive back Brian Allen went 173rd overall in the fifth round to Pittsburgh . ... Arizona State kicker and Deer Park graduate Zane Gonzalez was the 224th pick in the seventh round to Cleveland. Gonzalez finished his career with 494 points — an FBS record for points by a kicker . ...
Former Sealy and Texas A&M wide receiver Ricky Seals-Jones signed with Arizona . ... Elsik graduate and former Baylor wide receiver Ishmael Zamora also signed with Oakland. ... Silsbee grad/Lamar offensive lineman Bret Treadway signed with the 49ers . ... Iowa State defensive back Jomal Wiltz, a North Shore graduate, signed as a free agent with the Eagles . ... Former Texas defensive tackle Paul Boyette of Humble signed with the Raiders.