The Knights are targeting local talent Amir Smith to uphold a legendary lineage in Orlando, battling powerhouses like Penn State for the explosive St. Petersburg playmaker.
Shaquem Griffin is a UCF legend, and the Knights are aiming to continue the Griffin family legacy after offering class of 2028 running back Amir Smith, Griffin’s nephew.
Smith is a local product, playing for Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Florida. The 5-foot-7 running back is an unranked recruit, according to 247Sports.
He has received 10 offers from schools like UCF, Louisville and Penn State. Griffin’s nephew is making a name for himself to make his family proud.
“He’s on a mission to be the best to ever come out of our family, Griffin told MagicRoundtable and Knights247 reporter Andrew Cherico.
Smith had an inconsistent sophomore campaign for the Spartans. He totaled 751 yards and 10 touchdowns on 104 carries.
The 5-foot-7 running back recorded four games with 80 yards or more: 88 yards (Boca Ciega), 108 yards (Gibbs) and 82 yards (SAC) and 103 yards (CMHS). Smith has shown flashes in his second season, consistency is the next step in the high schooler’s career.
Griffin’s nephew has big shoes to fill following in his uncle’s footsteps. The former Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins safety had a stellar high school career at Lakewood.
He attended the 2011 Under Armour Combine, earned Second Team 5A All-State and Tampa Bay Times Second Team All-Suncoast honors. Griffin also played in the 2012 Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star Game and USA football selected him to the 2013 U.S. U-19 National Team.
He committed to play for UCF in 2013 and continued stacking accolades to his resume. Griffin earned AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2016, Peach Bowl Defensive MVP in 2018, Second-Team All-American in 2017, back-to-back First-Team All-AAC in 2016-17 and made the AAC Fifth Anniversary Team in 2018.
The Seattle Seahawks drafted the 6-foot safety with the 141st pick in the fifth round in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Seahawks and one with the Dolphins — on the practice squad — before retiring.
If Smith continues the family legacy at UCF, he’ll join a young running back room. Central Arkansas transfer Landen Chambers and Louisville transfer Duke Watson are juniors, meaning if Smith commits, they’ll have played through the last of their eligibility.
Smith would compete with Kaj Baker, Arthur Lewis IV, Chance Nixon, Taevion Swing and Agyeman Addae if he stays in Orlando. UCF continues to find hidden gems in Florida, and has done a good job of gaining commitments from in-state recruits.
The Knights have five local commits in the class of 2026. Safety Kash Kolbow, wide receiver Jamal Robinson Jr., EDGE Noah Robinson, running back Connail Jackson and athlete Kaneilius Purdu are all in-state recruits.
It will likely be a while before Smith announces a commitment, but he has the opportunity to continue the Griffin family legacy at the Bounce House.
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