Tulu Griffin Speaks About his Versatility at NFL Scouting Combine

The tenured Bulldog wideout has made waves in multiple facets of the game, and he'll look to do the same in the NFL.

INDIANAPOLIS — Lideatrick Griffin wasn't always "Tulu". 

The nickname's origin can be credited to one of Griffin's childhood friends, who dubbed Griffin a name that aptly described his elite speed. 

"We used to play football in the yard a lot, and one of my friends, they was always calling me 'too loose'," Griffin said on Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "But they shortened it down to Tulu, and we just went with it ever since then."

Tulu carried that "too loose" play style throughout his upbringing in Philadelphia, Ms. At Philadelphia High School, Griffin was an electric all-purpose player, contributing heavily in the rushing, receiving and return game. In three years of varsity football, Griffin recorded 1,035 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground, 1,968 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air and six return touchdowns (five kickoff, one punt). 

With that knowledge, it's understandable why, when asked which all-time pass-catcher Griffin would most want to be paired with, he said Tavon Austin, the former everything-man speedster for West Virginia whose highlight reel has 23 million views on YouTube. 

"I always used to be faster than everybody, and I'd always run around and say "woop, Tavon Austin," Griffin said. 

While Griffin's collegiate highlight tapes (or anyone's for that matter) probably won't reach the level of fame Austin's did, Griffin still had a sizable impact on Mississippi State's return and receiving games. Like in high school, Griffin was a stellar kick returner with the Bulldogs. He took two kickoffs for touchdowns — one against NC State in 2021 and another against Auburn in 2022. He ranked in the top 10 nationally for kick return yards in 2022, and he'll likely play a role on special teams at the next level.

During his four years in Starkville, Griffin was also a factor as a pass-catcher. Working primarily out of the slot, he caught 126 passes for 1,490 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. Griffin said NFL that he'll likely remain a slot receiver at the next level. 

One aspect of Griffin's evolution came from the offensive schemes he played in while at Mississippi State. Over his first three seasons in Starkville, Griffin played in the Air Raid system under Mike Leach, one of the pioneers of the system at the collegiate level. After Leach unexpectedly passed in December of 2022, Kevin Barbay took the reins on offense under new head coach Zach Arnett and installed a Pro-Style offense. 

The switch in scheme moved Griffin from the outside to the inside of the formation. It also 

"In the Air Raid, we just had eight or nine routes, and then we switched to Pro-Style, and I moved to the inside," Griffin said. "We had more double-moves and option routes. It transitioned very well."

When asked if the new system gives players more individual freedom, Griffin was quick to give a positive response.   

"Yessir. Especially if it's man coverage, oh my god," Griffin said. 

The NFL is filled with different offensive schemes that all have their own different tweaks and subtle differences. Whichever one Griffin lands in, he'll have already experienced a change in scheme that should better prepare him for whatever lies ahead. 

"I got a taste of both of them," Griffin said. 

Tracker: Mississippi State On-Field Drills at 2024 NFL Combine