For three seasons, Marcus and his twin brother, Michael, competed at the safety positions while Cedric Griffin (no relation) performed at cornerback. With Cedric and Michael now playing in the NFL, Marcus more than filled their leadership void in 2007.

Michael was the more highly touted prospect coming out of high school, recruited heavily by most of the major college programs. Marcus was not highly recruited, coming to UT as a walk-on in 2003, as he wanted to continue playing alongside his brother, who now starts for the Tennessee Titans.

At James Bowie High School, Griffin was named first-team All-District 25-5A on offense and defense as a senior. He earned All-Central Texas honors as a defensive back, playing in the same defensive backfield as his brother. He added first-team All-District accolades as a junior, helping the team post an 8-3 record in 2001.

Griffin recorded 82 tackles (62 solos) while making three interceptions and a fumble recovery in 2002. He also gained 1,028 passing yards and 560 rushing yards to help the team compile a 9-2 record. As a junior, he registered 78 tackles (56 solos) with five interceptions and two forced fumbles. He was also a member of the National Honor Society.

Griffin enrolled at Texas in 2003, playing free safety on the scout team. He backed up Michael Huff at that position the next two seasons, seeing action mostly on special teams in 2004. He finished that campaign with 10 tackles (7 solos), as he posted seven stops (4 solos) on the kick coverage units.

In 2005, Griffin registered 32 tackles (11 solos) as a valuable nickel back, coming up with four stops (2 solos) on special teams. He started 10 of 11 games at strong safety in 2006, earning Academic All-Big 12 Conference honors. He sat out the Rice and Baylor games with a pair of ankle sprains, but still finished second on the team with 90 tackles (54 solos), including a sack and two stops for losses. He also picked off a pass, broke up three others and caused two fumbles.

Griffin shifted to free safety as a senior, earning All-Big 12 first-team honors from the league's coaches. He also earned Academic All-Big 12 Conference honors, as he led the team with a career-high 99 tackles (65 solos). He deflected five passes and picked off four others. He also caused and recovered a fumble.

In 49 games at Texas, Griffin started 23 contests. He closed out his career with 231 tackles (137 solos), an 11-yard sack and three stops for losses of 15 yards, along with one quarterback pressure. He caused three fumbles, recovered two others and made 14 tackles (8 solos) on special teams. He deflected eight passes and intercepted five others for 91 yards in returns, including a touchdown.

Positives: Has a frame that can carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk with no loss in quickness … Very physical in run support, doing a much better job of reading blocking schemes and attacking the ball downhill than he does in man coverage … Does not have the foot speed like his brother, Michael, but shows good balance and decent acceleration closing on plays in front of him … Quiet, respected team leader who is called the hardest worker on the team by the coaching staff … Competitive type who plays until the whistle and shows good urgency getting to the ball … Earned his scholarship with his tireless work ethic and performances on the special teams coverage units, as he is generally the first to get downfield, showing good tackling technique in space … Much more decisive in locating the ball and getting into position vs. running plays than the pass, as he stays low in his pads and does a good job of attacking the rusher's outside leg to impede forward progress … Has the leg drive to push back the lead blocker and clog the rush lanes … Generally is in the proper alignment to keep plays in front of him, and even though tight ends might over-power him at times he keeps his hands active in attempts to reroute … Stays on the hip of short-area receivers and shows the ability to stay square while mirroring in the short area (struggles to stay tight on the receiver in deep routes, though) … Has a good feel for the route developing, but does bite on play-action a bit … Can get a good jump on the ball when he sees threats developing … Has the body control and timing to compete for jump balls (just lacks natural hands) … Despite a lack of bulk, he is a slippery blitzer who can get under or around a lineman's arm swipes … Fights the ball some looking it in, but has confidence that he can absorb it into his body (not always successful) … Fights off blocks with aggression and fills quickly when taking good angles in run force … Does a good job of protecting his feet and side-stepping trash when working down the line … Big hitter who can square up, wrap and make contact with good force … Shows good balance and tackling form in plays in front of him and it is rare to see him miss a tackle in the open field.

Negatives: Too light to play strong safety at the next level, but lacks the timed speed and acceleration you look for in a free safety … Not really a fluid open-field runner and needs to smooth out his backpedal a bit, as he will take false steps in transition, especially in man coverage … despite four interceptions in 2007, he lacks natural hands and will trap the ball more often than extend for it … Bites on pump fakes and play-action and needs to do a better job of mirroring the receivers (gets turned around a bit and struggles to recover when the receiver gets behind him) … Must be more aggressive with his hands in run support, as he does not play off blocks well and takes time trying to shed … Has tight hips that prevent him from opening up and flying to the ball in an instant … Very choppy in his pass drops and must stay lower in his pads to get a cleaner plant when driving out of his breaks … Might not be able to read keys as quick as his brother, as there is some bit of hesitation when trying to catch up to the ball … Has good strength, but needs to generate better pop on contact.

Compares To: MICHAEL GRIFFIN-Tennessee … This was an easy comparison, as both have the same build and play under control. Michael is quicker and much more fluid in his backpedal. He also has more natural hands than Marcus, but Marcus is a better tackler in run support and shows very good balance and wrap-up technique to get the ballcarrier on the ground. The only disadvantage with Marcus is timed speed, as he is built more like a free safety and might struggle taking on offensive linemen with his light frame. Asked at the Combine on how he compares himself to his brother, Michael said, "To me, and I'm entitled to my own opinion, I think we're the same type of people. We play in the same type of manner. I think I compare just as similar to him."

2005: Sat out the Rice game (9/16) with a high ankle sprain … Re-injured the ankle, sitting out vs. Baylor (10/14).

2007: Left the Central Florida game (9/15) briefly when he was shaken up after making a tackle on a running play.

Campus: 4.62 in the 40-yard dash … 335-pound bench press … 455-pound squat … 308-pound power clean … 34-inch vertical jump … 4.38 20-yard shuttle … 30 5/8-inch arm length … 9 5/8-inch hands.

Combine: 4.71 in the 40-yard dash … Bench pressed 225 pounds 13 times … 31.5-inch vertical jump.

Attended James Bowie (Austin, Texas) High School, playing football for head coach Jeff Ables … Named first-team All-District 25-5A on offense and defense as a senior … Earned All-Central Texas honors as a defensive back, playing in the same defensive backfield as his brother, Michael … Added first-team All-District accolades as a junior, helping the team post an 8-3 record in 2001 … Had 82 tackles (62 solos), while making three interceptions and a fumble recovery in 2002 … Also gained 1,028 passing yards and 560 rushing yards to help the team compile a 9-2 record … As a junior, he registered 78 tackles (56 solos) with five interceptions and two forced fumbles … Member of the National Honor Society.

Graduated in December 2007 with a degree in Government Studies, minoring in Liberal Arts … Two-time Academic All-Big 12 Conference pick and member of the UT Athletic Director's Honor Roll … Active in UT's community service program … Part of a group of Longhorns that regularly visits patients at the Austin Children's Hospital … Twin brother of former Texas All-American safety Michael Griffin (2003-06), who presently starts for the Tennessee Titans … Son of Mae and Ronald Griffin … Born Marcus Kevin Griffin on

1/4/85 in Austin, Texas.