Little Big Man Though 5-5, Griffin Doesn’t Come Up Short For Vandals

It’s easy to overlook Idaho wide receiver David Griffin on a football field. After all, he stands just 5-foot-5.

That makes him the shortest Vandal. And one of their biggest playmakers.

Griffin, the team leader in receptions (34) and second in the Big West Conference in punt returns (11.5 yards per return), is adored by teammates and coaches who have seen the Lilliputian receiver rise up the depth chart the past four years.

“Every time I see him do something, I chalk one up for the little man,” said secondary coach Eric Yarber, a former Vandal and NFL receiver. “There’s still a place for ‘em.”

Through the years, that place has been Idaho. From the 5-8 Yarber to 5-9 John Jake to 5-7 David Jackson to 5-10 Lee Allen to 5-9 Kyle Gary, shorter receivers have loomed large in the passing schemes originated by coach Dennis Erickson in 1982.

And now there’s Griffin, who was a high school quarterback in Fontana, Calif.

“I knew I had to work harder than other people, just because of my size, to get where I wanted to be,” said Griffin, eager for Idaho’s inaugural Big West game against Nevada on Saturday at 12:05 in the Kibbie Dome. “I think everybody has to prove themselves. If you can play, you can play and it (size) doesn’t matter. That’s the good thing about Idaho. They accept you if you get the job done.”

Before getting the job done, however, Griffin first had to get the job.

He was redshirting in his freshman season when Dwight McKinzie was injured. Griffin was forced into action and caught three passes in limited duty.

As a sophomore, he backed up Gary. Last year, Griffin started, but he had pedestrian numbers (31 catches).

This year, he’s arguably the Vandals’ best receiver - in part because of quarterback Ryan Fien’s accurate arm. In baseball parlance, Griffin would be tough to pitch to because he has a small strike zone, but Fien’s been on target.

Griffin’s height can be a benefit as the slot receiver working the middle of the field.

“The inside receiver can be smaller because of the quickness aspect. Beating the linebacker is the key,” said Erickson, the Seattle Seahawks coach who was Yarber’s coach at UI. “When we first started that offense, nobody played nickel and dime (coverages). We got those guys on linebackers all the time. Plus all those (shorter) receivers were good receivers. Eric Yarber could play - still play - any place in college football.”

“One thing a smaller receiver can do is maneuver better than a lot of guys,” Yarber said. And the negatives? “Sometimes when Fien is coming back to (Griffin) after looking off the primary receiver, it’s hard to find him.”

Though Griffin is 5-5, he’s a sturdy 177 pounds. As the inside receiver and punt returner, he tends to take more hits than the other receivers. He hasn’t fumbled a punt and he enjoys blocking. Griffin has just two fair catches in 18 punt returns.

“David takes some hits and jumps right back up,” special teams coach Rick Courtright said. “He’s done a good job of making smart decisions back there.”

Griffin said one of his smartest decisions was following the lead of his mother, Mary. Griffin’s parents were divorced when he was a toddler, leaving Mary with a child and, at the time, no job.

“It was tough at first. She ended up being a correctional officer and things started going better,” Griffin said. “But there were tough times, man, tough times. I’ve seen the best of both worlds.

“I’ve seen where you can be and I’ve seen where you can get. My mom worked hard to get there and if she can do it, I can do it.”

Griffin will graduate in May with a degree in criminal justice. He will have two internships next semester. He’s invaluable to the football team.

“I’m surprised by my production, but I’m not surprised with myself,” Griffin said. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point.”

Sounds like mom already should be proud.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color photos