Stevenson doesn’t worry about senior Griffin Suren.
A multi-position playmaker on defense, Suren has proved he can handle whatever responsibilities he’s given.
Opponents have something to be concerned about, however.
“It’s a part of the game I really enjoy,” Suren said of his versatility. “It’s a new challenge every week and helps give teams a different look, and gives us different options on how to attack.”
Suren typically receives his assignment for the upcoming game by the end of each weekend. Whether he plays outside linebacker or defensive end, chances are he will make a lasting impression.
“He’s the prototypical rusher off the edge who is also a drop linebacker in a 3-4 defense,” Stevenson coach Brent Becker said. “He reads the ball well and can even play in pass coverage like a safety. He fits exactly what we need from those two positions.”
Suren just wants to contribute.
“I feel comfortable wherever they put me,” he said. “I just like being able to make plays. I feel like this part of me goes back a long way. My parents always told me, all the way back to youth football, to do whatever I can to help the team and to give 110%. That mentality is getting rarer these days.”
So are the things Suren can do on the field. His 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame is one factor. Equally important, though, is Suren’s attention to detail, high football IQ and workmanlike demeanor. He approaches every activity as a chance to improve.
Stevenson senior left tackle Albert Murillo Jr. experiences that firsthand. He points to Suren’s hands, which he utilizes if he’s rushing the quarterback on a pass play or trying to shed blockers on a run play.
“A lot of high school players feel like practice isn’t important, but he never takes a play off,” Murillo said. “He’s a high-motor guy who seems like he never runs out of energy.”
Suren’s performance during Stevenson’s 36-0 North Suburban Conference win against Mundelein on Sept. 20 demonstrated the many ways he can make an impact. He had six tackles, including two sacks; a quarterback hit; and two interceptions, one of which he returned 20 yards for a touchdown.
Suren’s TD provided an obvious spark for the Patriots (4-1, 2-1) and was particularly noteworthy since Suren wasn’t even in pass coverage on the play. He was rushing the quarterback.
“It was a quick switch of events,” Suren said. “I felt the back leak out in back of me, and the quarterback rushed the throw. I put my hands up and came down with the ball. That was a game when I felt like I was playing at a pretty high level.”
That was Suren’s second career defensive TD. He returned an interception for a TD in his second varsity game last year.
Suren was almost exclusively deployed as a strong-side linebacker as a junior, but the topic of turning him loose in different ways was broached in the offseason.
Suren’s speed kicked up a notch after he competed in sprints, as well as the long jump and triple jump, during the spring track season. He also looks back at the decision he made after his sophomore year to stop playing basketball and baseball.
“Cross-training definitely helped when I was younger,” Suren said. “I was always busy, but it was fun. Concentrating only on football helped me a lot because that’s now my only focus. Since I was younger, I wanted to play sports for as long as I could, and part of that is playing college football.”
Suren received three offers from colleges over the summer, including one from Dayton. He would join three others in his family who played college football. His father, Bob, played at Edinboro University, and two uncles played at Kent State and Cornell.
Becker even sees potential for Suren to play tight end at the next level. Suren gets reps at that position for the Patriots.
“I take football seriously,” Suren said. “When I’m there, it’s time to work. The main goal is for me to keep getting better each year.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
