TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- ESPN 300 athlete D’Anfernee McGriff was presented with his Under Armour All-America Game jersey Wednesday afternoon in a ceremony sponsored by American Family Insurance. The ceremony took place in front of family, friends and teammates at Leon High School's indoor practice facility in Tallahassee, Florida.
Leon head coach Tim Cokely said his star prospect suffered through a personal tragedy that helped mold him into the person he is today.
"When I first got here he was kind of living with his uncle and his uncle died of a heart attack, and I think that really shaped him,” Cokely said. "So he rededicated himself to football at that time and that really paid off. He’s a laid-back guy, likes to laugh and likes to make every one else laugh.”
McGriff has been committed to Auburn as an athlete since April and Cokely thinks his star quarterback can do multiple things for the Tigers.
"On the field, we’ve been fortunate now. We’ve had a lot of good players play for us since ’89. He’s got a unique skill set. I think he has NFL arm talent. I’ve signed 10 Division 1 quarterbacks, which is the most in the country by five, so he’s No 11 but he’s got the ability to run and throw. I’m not sure how Auburn will use him but he can do a lot of things with his arm and legs. He can probably throw the ball about 80 yards.”
Depsite being committed to Auburn several teams continue to pursue the 207th-ranked player in the country.
“South Carolina and Miami are still on me pretty hard right now,” McGriff said. "I’m pretty solid to Auburn, though. I like it up there."
D'anfernee McGriff receiving his Under Armour All-America jersey. Has a message for #Auburn fans. https://t.co/poZGJjlPtS
— Derek Tyson (@DerekTysonESPN) October 22, 2014Eight questions with D'Anfernee McGriff
Who is one player you are looking forward to competing against?
McGriff: I know I want to go against Kevin Toliver, the No. 1 defensive back. He’s the best, so I want to go against the best.
If you were to start a team with any other player in your class, who would it be?
DM: I’d start with Trenton Thompson. He’s a big dude and you need big defensive linemen.
Who is the best player to ever play in the Under Armour game that you know of?
DM: Definitely Jameis Winston.
What is your earliest football memory?
DM: My earliest football memory, I was just a few years old but Tamarick Vanover was my uncle and he played football. I never really knew what was going on but I’d watch it on TV.
Which football player did you idolize or be like when you were a kid?
DM: I’d say Michael Vick, because I’m left-handed and can run, too. I tried to model my game after him.
If you could take on any pro player in their sport, who would it be?
DM: Definitely LeBron James, just to be on the same court with the best player in the world.
What number do you wear?
DM: I wore No. 11. But in the spring we had a battle and whoever won the battle would wear No. 1 during the spring game, but I liked wearing it, so now that’s what I wear.
What is the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
DM: I actually came to Leon to play basketball. But I don’t play anymore, I’m just a football guy now.
