USC defensive end Everson Griffen wasted no time in letting his intentions to declare for the NFL Draft public. The junior from Avondale, Arizona let it be known just minutes after USC’s 24-13 win over Boston College in the Emerald Bowl, that he planned to forego his senior season and enter the 2010 NFL draft.
“I'll be going into the draft,” Griffen said while standing on the field at AT&T Park. "I'm declaring for the draft. That's how it is. I've been knowing for a while. I was waiting to this point, and I'll be entering the draft in 2010."
Griffen will enter the draft after a 2009 campaign in which he recorded 44 tackles and a team-high 8 sacks while receiving All-Pac-10 second team honors.
The 6-3, 280-pound defensive lineman, who has unquestionable physical talent but hasn’t always been consistent, said he was pleased with the progress that he has made since arriving at USC three years ago.
“I’m proud of myself. I came a long way,” he said. “I am thankful for Coach Jethro (Franklin) being here and I still love all the Trojans and Pete Carroll.”
After the game, USC head coach Pete Carroll said he was aware of Griffen’s desire to make the jump to the next level, and that the coaches will support him, because he is so determined to make the move.
"He really has his sights set on it…He's one of those guys. He's just so determined to go do it," Carroll said. "I don't know; I've never even looked at the scenarios and stuff like that. I just know he's so far gone on wanting to go that we'll just support him."
Griffen missed the a good portion of USC’s Emerald Bowl win Saturday night after injuring his ankle early in the game.
“I got cut on the play by the running back and I just over extended my ankle and I hurt it,” he said.
Pete Carroll added: "He had worked so hard to play in this game, and he hurt his ankle on the first sequence I think. That's too bad.”
While he was forced to watch most of the game from the sideline, Griffen said he was pleased to end his USC career with a victory.
“It’s always nice to go out with a win,” he said.
Everson Griffen had a team-high 8 sacks in 2009.
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