Mississippi State wide receiver Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin is among the most dynamic playmakers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Griffin recorded career-highs in receptions (50) and receiving yards (658) this season. Griffin doubles as a dynamic special teams returner, having scored two touchdowns while accumulating 1,640 yards on kickoffs.
Griffin recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his electric performance at the NFL Combine, his favorite routes to run, playing inside and outside, which teams are showing interest in his services, and more.
JM: You enjoyed an incredible performance at the NFL Combine. You ran a 4.43 40 with a 1.54 10-yard split. You also had a 10-foot-4 broad. How would you grade your overall performance?
Tulu Griffin: I’d give it a 10 out of 10. I’m not holding back. I was extremely pleased with my performance. I could have run a faster 40 though. I had a little hamstring thing when I ran the 40. I could have run faster. That 4.43 was faster than I expected considering I was nursing my hamstring, though. I was satisfied at the end of the day.
JM: That makes sense. You were electric out there. Have you noticed an uptick in attention you’re receiving since then?
Tulu Griffin: I’ve definitely been hearing from more teams. It’s been wonderful. A bunch of teams are touching base with me on Zoom. I have a few in-person visits coming up as well. The process has been going great for me.
JM: Those meetings have been going well?
Tulu Griffin: They are. I recently met with the Packers on Zoom. I met with the Raiders and Jaguars on Zoom as well recently. I have more meetings set up. We’ve been going through plays and breaking down the offense. We’re talking about special teams as well. It’s been a great experience for me.
I’m visiting the Cleveland Browns on an official visit as well.
JM: There’s a lot of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. You took a step forward this season, totaling career highs in receptions (50) and receiving yards (658). What led to the uptick in production?
Tulu Griffin: I have to give all of the credit to the coaching staff. They put me in a great position to achieve those numbers. My teammates, we all went out there and stood by each other side by side. I have to give it to them before anything else.
JM: Do NFL teams primarily see you playing in the slot at the next level?
Tulu Griffin: They’ve been telling me they can see me playing both inside and outside. I guess it’s both. It’s up to them at the end of the day. Almost every team I’ve spoken with says I’m versatile enough to move around and play multiple spots.
JM: Does Tulu Griffin have a favorite route to run?
Tulu Griffin: I would probably say the whip route. I also love the option route at five yards. That whip route, because I threaten defensive backs with my speed, they’re going to overrun me when I break inside. I just have to stick my foot in the ground and come back outside. If I stay on my feet, I’m really good at picking up yards after the catch as well. That’s no problem.
With that five-yard option route, I love running those on 3rd-and-1 or 4th-and-1. It gives me the option to break inside or outside, especially if it’s man or zone coverage. It’s really up to me. I already know I’m going to win that route. That’s why those are my two favorite routes to run.
JM: You also returned 54 career kicks at Mississippi State for 1,640 yards and two touchdowns. What do you enjoy about returning kicks, and do you hope to continue doing so at the next level?
Tulu Griffin: I really love returning kicks. You can see the entire field on kickoffs. I love having the ball in my hands in those situations. It’s important to have a great connection with your blockers on special teams. I invest in those relationships. When I gain their trust, I just tell them I need them to hold their blocks for a few seconds. I can score a touchdown.
That’s what brings joy to the kickoff team. If I score a touchdown, the entire unit feels great joy. We’re all celebrating together. It’s not just about me. It’s about them as well. I love playing on kickoffs. I pray I can keep returning kicks and punts at the next level. I’m fielding punt returns at my Pro Day to show everybody I can do it. I want to be reliable in all areas.
JM: You’re so dynamic in the return game! We’ve appreciated your time today. What kind of impact is Tulu Griffin going to make at the next level?
Tulu Griffin: I’m going to be a versatile playmaker. I’m extremely speedy and I understand how to utilize speed to my advantage. I’m a team-first player that’s a great guy in the locker room. I also love to be coached. I can’t wait to get better.
I’m going to have a whole bunch of fun at the next level.
