Ryan Griffin is hoping to follow in the footsteps of a former teammate. He’ll take the next step in the journey Saturday, when the former UConn tight end and Londonderry High School graduate will suit up for the first Raycom College Football All-Star Classic.

The game is one of a handful of all-star contests open to college seniors who have hopes of playing in the NFL, and Griffin will participate on the Stripes team, coached by Dan Reeves, the former coach of the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons. The Stripes will take on the Stars, coached by former Dolphins coach Jim Bates, at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., and will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.

Griffin is trying to become the second UConn player with New Hampshire ties in as many years to hear his name called during April’s NFL Draft. Last year, Nashua’s Kendall Reyes, a defensive tackle for the Huskies, was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round.

As a senior, Griffin caught 29 passes for 484 yards and six touchdowns, earning UConn’s Offensive Player of the Year award, and for the second straight year, he was named to the All-Big East second-team. The former Lancer finished his college career second on the all-time list in receptions and touchdowns among UConn tight ends.

T he next step for Griffin would be the NFL’s Scouting Combine, in Indianapolis from Feb. 23-26.

The list of invites for the combine will be released in early February.

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