Senior Spotlight: Tyler Griffiths

RALEIGH, N.C. - Avoiding the spotlight is a positive mark for a long snapper. For senior Tyler Griffiths, that's just how he likes it.

"Not many people know who I am and I like it that way," said the Indian Trail, N.C., native. "It just motivates me to do my job to the best of my ability. I always say that a long snapper isn't going to win a game, but it will lose one.

"As long as I do my job to the best of my ability, I put our team in the best position to win."

To ensure unblemished performances, Griffiths "gets out to practice early before everyone else. I warm up and stretch. I probably snap 20 balls for warmup and then I wait until we do field goals and punting. After that, I do whatever extra work I need to continue to get better and then watch the rest of practice while everybody else is sweating in the heat."

Even though Griffiths' name isn't mentioned much during a broadcast, he has added stability to special teams, serving as the snapper for all kicks for four straight seasons.

With a routine he's had since high school, consistency is a word that describes Griffiths approach to the game, starting at a young age:

"I came up with a routine in high school and I have stuck to it every day and I ended up getting a scholarship to NC State with the routine," said Griffiths. I've continued that routine since I've been here and it will hopefully push me to the next level after this."

As for the next level, Griffiths is keeping his options open with a wide variety of avenues.

"I want to train and take a shot at the NFL," said Griffiths. "If that doesn't work, I have a lot of irons in the fire. I'm thinking about getting into coaching. I'm really into politics, so I might do that. Grad school is an option too."

With almost 400 career snaps, Griffiths has had a lot of memorable experiences over that span of time on and off the field.

"Just spending time with my teammates has been my best memories," said Griffiths. "My favorite would probably be the hurricane against Notre Dame or when we beat Louisville last year at home."

As for off the field, he'll "miss even the simple things you don't think about every day. Maybe not necessarily practice, but just sitting around a lunch table and talking with all the guys, just the brotherhood you've made over the last four years with so many different people, whether it's coaches, players, support staff, you know everybody you have so many different types of relationships with. It's not an opportunity you're most likely going to get later in life."

While he figures out his next step post-graduation, he'll cherish his last season with the Pack and the whole NC State experience.

"I'll miss the fans, I'll miss my teammates, and I'll miss my coaches, especially Coach Shearer. I'll miss Carter-Finley Stadium. I'll miss everything."

North Carolina State University Athletics

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