Orlando Magic Daily
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2017 Central Florida 85 Nos. 1-17: The Best of the Best

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 31: UCF mascot Knightro takes the field before the football game between the visiting FIU Panthers and the UCF Knights on August 31, 2017 at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 31: UCF mascot Knightro takes the field before the football game between the visiting FIU Panthers and the UCF Knights on August 31, 2017 at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Shaquem Griffin, UCF Knights
ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Shaquem Griffin #18 of the Central Florida Knights in action during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Bright House Networks Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Central Florida defeated Cincinnati 24-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

11. Shaquem Griffin, UCF Football

Let’s get this out of the way early. Shaquem Griffin has only one hand. A rare condition from before birth cost him his left hand. And it is somewhat jarring to know that and watch him play football.

And then it becomes amazing watching him dominate games.

Griffin was the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year last year, totaling 92 tackles including 20.0 tackles for a loss. And, yes, he had his fair share of interceptions.

Griffin quickly transcended that easy story about his anatomy — a feature he is completely comfortable with because he does not know any other way. And he has always made it work.

Even without that story, Griffin would be ranked this high on the list. He is the best player returning from a strong UCF defense. While Scott Frost talked a lot about changing the team’s offense to something resembling his offense with the Oregon Ducks, his defense was actually the reason the UCF Knights went to a bowl game.

Shaquem will not have his brother Shaquille on the roster anymore. But the Knights are still going to be a tough team to crack defensively. Especially in the American Conference. And Griffin will be at the center of it.