Central Florida linebacker Shaquem Griffin has been named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Despite having one of his hands amputated when he was four years old as a result of a rare congenital disorder, Griffin has excelled on the field this season. After seeing limited opportunities in 2015, the redshirt junior changed positions this year, moving from safety to outside linebacker, and still finished the season with the most sacks in the AAC (11.0) and the 10th most in the NCAA. He also averaged more than seven tackles per game, broke up six passes and collected his first career interception this year.