Everson Griffen Everson Griffen ( born December 22 , 1987 ) is an American football defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League . He was selected in the 4th round and 100 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft after playing his college football at the University of Southern California . Griffen was the highest ranked prospect out of Arizona since Terrell Suggs , whom he idolized growing up . He has been described as “ one of the rare physical freaks that come around only once in a blue moon . ” High school career . Griffen attended Agua Fria High School in Avondale , Arizona , where he played as defensive lineman and running back . As a junior , he rushed for 794 yards on 142 carries for eight touchdowns , and even had 12 receptions for 168 yards and one amazing 71 - yard reception where he out raced everybody for a score . On defense , he was double and triple - teamed but still managed 47 tackles , five sacks and three fumble recoveries . Following that season , Griffen attended the 2005 Arizona summer camp , where he ran a 4 . 46 sec 40 yard dash ; an astonishing feat for a player of his size , which earned him the nickname " The Freak " and led to comparisons to Jevon Kearse . As a senior , Griffen recorded 77 tackles and 16 sacks , while rushing for 1 , 250 yards and 22 TDs on 159 carries on the offensive end . Following his high school career , Griffen was selected to play in the 2007 U . S . Army All - American Bowl along with fellow USC recruits Marc Tyler , Joe McKnight , and Chris Galippo . He took official visits to USC , Michigan , Notre Dame , Oregon and UCLA before eventually deciding on the Trojans . Griffen reported a 3 . 3 core GPA and a 1020 SAT score . College career . In the fall practice before his freshman season at USC , Griffen and veteran defensive end Kyle Moore got into heated competition that culminated into a fight during practice ; the two reconciled and are now friends . Griffen started for the Trojans as a true freshman , the first true freshman defensive lineman to start an opener for USC in 21 seasons , since Tim Ryan did in 1986 against Illinois . In the 2007 season , Griffen recorded 21 tackles and 5 . 5 sacks , and was selected to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All - American Team . In the Trojans 24 - 3 victory over Oregon State , Griffen had 3 . 5 of USC ' s nine sacks . During spring practices in 2008 , USC coach Pete Carroll staged one of his well known pranks by having the Los Angeles Police Department enter a team meeting and arrest Griffen for “ physically abusing a freshman ” ( Trojans offensive guard Matt Meyer ) ; Griffen was previously aware of the prank . On July 4 , 2009 , at Fourth of July party on Nantucket island , Griffen and teammate , linebacker Jordan Campbell , were cited by the Nantucket Police Department for a noise violation ; no charges were filed and the two agreed to write a letter of apology . In 2009 , Griffen was second team All Pac - 10 . Professional career . 2010 NFL Draft . After USC ' s 24 – 13 victory over Boston College in the 2009 Emerald Bowl , Griffen announced he would forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2010 NFL Draft . Minnesota Vikings . Griffen was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 100th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft . On January 28 , 2011 , Griffen was arrested in Los Angeles for public intoxication . Three days later , he was arrested again after he was found driving with an invalid drivers license . He then tried to flee on foot only to be tasered after allegedly grabbing an officer in the crotch area . On October 11 , 2012 , Griffen was given an indefinite leave from the team after his mother died .