Lideatrick Griffin Bio
Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin (born January 23, 2001) is an American former professional football wide receiver and return specialist. He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, where he earned First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC honors in 2022. After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Griffin signed as an undrafted free agent and spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers before being selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League in 2026.
Early Life and Background
Lideatrick Griffin was born on January 23, 2001, in Philadelphia, Mississippi, a small community in the east-central part of the state. He grew up in the same town that would later become the focus of his high school athletic career, attending Philadelphia High School. From an early age, Griffin developed a clear passion for football, training in a region where the sport carries deep community significance.
At Philadelphia High School, Griffin established himself as a versatile two-way player, lining up on both offense and defense for the school’s football program. As a senior, he demonstrated rare productivity, recording 117 receptions for 1,968 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns, while also contributing 1,035 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns on offense. He even added one passing touchdown to his senior totals, underscoring the multi-faceted skill set that college recruiters would soon pursue.
On the defensive side of the ball, Griffin totaled 38 tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass deflections, and four interceptions during his high school career. That two-way production drew attention from several prominent college programs, including Auburn, Tennessee, and Memphis. Ultimately, Griffin committed to Mississippi State, choosing to remain in his home state and continue his football development within the Southeastern Conference.
Path to American Football
Griffin’s high school résumé gave him a clear path toward college football, where his experience as a receiver, rusher, and returner translated naturally into a specialized role as an offensive weapon and special teams contributor. His commitment to Mississippi State allowed him to develop under a major college program while staying close to home.
At Mississippi State, Griffin was listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 181 pounds, a build well suited to the quick-twitch demands of the wide receiver and returner positions. He was used creatively by the Bulldogs coaching staff, lining up in the slot, taking handoffs on designed runs, and serving as a primary kick returner. That early versatility would soon produce some of the most memorable plays of his college career.
Lideatrick Griffin Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Griffin arrived at Mississippi State in 2020 and made an immediate impact on special teams during the Armed Forces Bowl against Tulsa. In that postseason appearance, he returned four kickoffs for 138 yards, including a 57-yard return on the opening kickoff, and caught two passes for 17 yards, including the game-winning touchdown. His performance earned him game Most Valuable Player honors in his first extended showcase on a national stage.
Across the 2020 season, Griffin recorded ten receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown, while also adding seven kick returns for 261 yards. As a sophomore in 2021, his role expanded significantly, highlighted by a 100-yard opening kickoff return for a touchdown in a Week 2 victory over NC State. He closed the 2021 campaign with 26 receptions for 269 yards and 15 kick returns for 459 yards and a touchdown, establishing himself as one of the conference’s most dangerous return men.
Mississippi State Breakthrough (2022)
The 2022 season represented Griffin’s breakthrough year as both a receiver and a returner. In Week 4, he caught a nine-yard touchdown reception in a win over Bowling Green, signaling his continued growth in the passing game. Later that season, in a 39–33 overtime win over Auburn, he returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown and added a 57-yard reception, performances that earned him co-SEC special teams player of the week honors.
Against East Tennessee State in Week 12, Griffin delivered another explosive outing, hauling in four receptions for 53 yards and two touchdowns in a 56–7 blowout. He finished the 2022 season with 42 receptions for 502 yards and four touchdowns, while also returning 19 kicks for 613 yards and a touchdown. That production earned him first-team All-SEC recognition as a returner and first-team All-American honors as a returner from the Football Writers Association of America, cementing his reputation as one of the top special teams players in college football.
Senior Season and Pre-Draft Recognition (2023)
Entering the 2023 season, Griffin was widely recognized as one of the top return specialists in the country. He was named to the preseason second-team All-SEC as an all-purpose back and third-team as a returner, and he also earned preseason All-American recognition from multiple outlets. Additionally, his versatility placed him on the Paul Hornung Award watchlist, an honor given annually to the most versatile player in college football. Griffin declared for the 2024 NFL Draft following his senior season.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Griffin signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2024. He was also selected by the San Antonio Brahmas in the sixth round of the 2024 UFL Draft on July 17, 2024. His time with the Raiders was brief, as he was waived on August 27, 2024, during final roster cuts.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024)
On August 29, 2024, Griffin was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad, giving him a chance to continue developing within an NFL environment. His tenure with the Browns was short-lived, however, as he was released on September 10, 2024, without appearing in a regular-season game for Cleveland.
Green Bay Packers Era (2025)
On January 14, 2025, Griffin signed a reserve and futures contract with the Green Bay Packers, a deal that allowed him to participate in the team’s offseason program. The Packers released him on May 5, 2025, ending his brief association with the franchise.
St. Louis Battlehawks Era (2026)
On January 14, 2026, Griffin was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League. His time with the Battlehawks was brief, as he announced his retirement from professional football on February 23, 2026.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Griffin’s career came in the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl, when he earned game MVP honors as a freshman with a 57-yard kickoff return and a game-winning touchdown reception. He later produced a 100-yard opening kickoff return for a touchdown against NC State in 2021 and a 92-yard kickoff return touchdown against Auburn in 2022, two plays that highlighted his elite open-field speed. His selection as a first-team All-American as a returner in 2022 stands as the highest individual honor of his career.
Lideatrick Griffin Family
Personal Life
Lideatrick Griffin is widely known by the nickname “Tulu.” Born and raised in Philadelphia, Mississippi, he remained connected to his home community throughout his football journey, choosing to play college football in-state at Mississippi State. Public information about his family and personal relationships has not been widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
Griffin spent the 2025 NFL offseason with the Green Bay Packers after signing a reserve and futures contract in January 2025. His time in Green Bay was limited to the offseason program, as the team released him on May 5, 2025, before the start of the regular season. He did not appear in any regular-season NFL games during the 2025 calendar year, and his professional career continued the following year in the United Football League.
