With the 10th pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills selected cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the University of South Carolina. Gilmore is the first South Carolina product drafted by Buffalo in the first round of an NFL Draft. He is the second defensive back from South Carolina to be drafted by the Bills, joining Ko Simpson. He becomes the 12th defensive back drafted by the Bills in the first round, most recently Leodis McKelvin in 2008. Below is Gilmore’s first media transcript after being selected on Thursday night.
On being drafted by the Buffalo Bills:
Stephon Gilmore: It is a great feeling to be a Buffalo Bill. They have great fans and they picked me at the 10 spot, so I am happy to play for them.
On if he had any idea the Bills intended to take him:
SG: Kind of. I went on a visit to the Bills and got to visit the city a little bit. It is a great feeling. They believe in my talent. I am looking forward to playing for them. Like I said, they have great fans and I am looking forward to helping that defense out.
On if he feels prepared to play in the NFL after playing in the SEC:
SG: I think I am going to be ready. Just keep working hard and doing everything that got me to this point right now. I’m just going in to compete and to compete like I have always been doing.
On what he feels comfortable doing in terms of football skills:
SG: I think I can play press-man and off-man pretty well. I can do whatever the coaches want me to do. Whatever they want me to do, I am going to go hard at it. I’ll make plays to help my team win and make my fans happy.
On what he thinks about the Bills new-look defense:
SG: It is a great feeling. They have a great defense and they are just looking for a piece to help them be an even better defense. I hope I am that piece and I am going to come in and work hard, like I said, and make plays to help my team win.
On some of the receivers he played against in college with South Carolina:
SG: I faced A.J. Green my freshman year. I went against Julio Jones. I went against Riley Cooper. I went against (Denarius Moore) from the Oakland Raiders. I went against a lot of players who are doing well in the NFL and I did well against [them].
On the team’s coaches and scouts liking his physical play:
SG: I just love playing the game. I love playing physical. I love playing football. I grew up playing football. I grew up in a football town. All I know is football so I’m looking forward to it.
On not having a smile when he was picked and if that’s just the kind of man he is:
SG: I knew I was going to get picked early so I was happy on the inside. I was just so happy from my head down and thanked the man above. It’s a blessing. It’s a blessing to get picked and I’m happy.
On if he knows anything about Buffalo and if he’s excited to go there:
SG: I’m happy about it. I’ve been to Buffalo on a visit so I’ve been there. I’m looking forward to it.
On what stood out from his visit to Buffalo:
SG: A lot of stuff stood out. It’s a town like where I’m from, more of a laid-back town. They’ve got great fans. Fans stick to their football team no matter what, and I’m looking forward to coming in and making my fans happy.
