By Todd Grasley

Before his days at the University of Central Florida, Shaquem Griffin was a two-sport standout at Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, FL. Griffin won the 2A state championship in the triple jump and followed that up with a title in the long jump as a senior in 2013.

Alongside his brother, Shaquill, a fellow UCF football standout who now plays in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks, and former Florida Gators and Nike professional hurdler T.J. Holmes, Griffin and the Spartans edged out Booker T. Washington by one point to emerge victorious in the team standings.

Fast forward four years later and Griffin was still showcasing that speed in his final game at UCF. Prior to the Knights' 34-27 victory over Auburn in the Peach Bowl on Monday, Griffin told us that team speed was a key factor for Central Florida's success this season.

"Having a track background, football players do that to stay in shape and have good form to transition to football," Griffin said. "Obviously, it plays a big part. But you know you're going against a team with speed also, and you have to make sure that we come ready and we ready to go fast every single play."

No Better Feeling Than Waking Up On Your Birthday 13-0 and Peach Bowl Champions #ItsGreatToBeAKnight pic.twitter.com/WB2LMwhA2w

— AK (@ADRIANKILLINS9) January 2, 2018

The Knights finished the season undefeated, 13-0, and have since laid claim to a national title for themselves, despite being shut out of the College Football Playoff. Prior to facing Auburn, Griffin alluded to the importance of playing fast — and finishing every play.

"I feel that when it comes to games like this, you can't take plays off," he added. "I mean, you've got to be willing to go fast every play and make sure you can make tackles and make cuts and do anything possible to create plays even when plays seem not to be there.”

While Griffin had the most respectable track background on defense, Adrian Killins one-ups him on offense. The former Mainland High School (FL) standout won the 200m state titles as a junior and senior and finished runner-up in the 100 in both years. His 10.49 and 20.16 are blazing-fast times in the 100m and 200m, respectively, and translate to explosive playmaking on the football field. He wasn't shy about the issue of speed earlier this month.

The sophomore was former UCF coach Scott Frost's first commitment from the class of 2016, and Killins has been as good as advertised. This season he led the team with 790 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns — at an average of 6.8 yards per carry.

"A.K. is really fast. I'm really fast," Griffin noted. "The team is really fast. They don't call us UC Fast for nothing."