When Roger Goodell stepped to the podium to announce the tenth pick of the 2012 draft most Bills fans assumed he would announce the name of a cornerback from South Carolina, Stephon Gilmore. Leading up to the draft many mock drafts had the Bills linked to Gilmore. Draft experts on television like Mel Kiper Jr. explained that Gilmore would fill a need for the Bills and add a weapon to guard against Tom Brady and the Patriots’ passing attack that has dominated the AFC East for more than a decade.
Still, some fans held their breath. Would the Bills go off of the board to pick a player that could help the offense? Would the Bills make another pick that is perceived as a mistake by their fan base like in 2010 when they added CJ Spiller to a crowded backfield?
For the second straight year Bills GM Buddy Nix followed the script. Like last year, when the Bills drafted Marcell Dareus, when the Bills turned in their draft card it had the name of the player most assumed they would draft - Stephon Gilmore, and like Dareus before him he is expected to start right away.
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Gilmore was born on September 19, 1990 in Rock Hill, South Carolina the first child of parents Linda and Steve. Stephon has five younger brothers and sisters. Gilmore was raised on sports. His father loves to watch sports on television and his mother told BuffaloBills.Com that Stephon loved to watch sports with his father and picked up on football right away. Mrs. Gilmore tells a story of Stephon waking up at a very young age from a dream where he was playing football in the show. Since then, she says, “He has always been focused on football.”
Gilmore played high school football at South Point High School in Rock Hill and played on both sides of the ball. As a senior, Stephon was the team’s starting quarterback and led them to a 15-0 record and the South Carolina AAAA Division II title.
After high school, Gilmore was named a four-star recruit by the scouting service Rivals.Com and considered Alabama, Tennessee, and Clemson before deciding to play college football close to home at South Carolina. Gilmore was the second rated prospect in South Carolina’s 2009 recruiting class, the best under coach Steve Spurrier.
Gilmore graduated from high school early so he could enroll at South Carolina in January and take part in spring practice. The decision paid off for Gilmore who was immediately starting as a freshman and making an impact in the highly competitive SEC. As a true freshman, Gilmore earned freshman All-American honors from College Football News. Gilmore continued to impress in college, consistently asked to cover the top wide receivers in the SEC. In college, Gilmore battled against future NFL draft picks Julio Jones, Reuben Randle, and Joe Adams. Each day in practice, Gilmore battled with the Bears second round pick Alshon Jeffery a 6’4″ monster of a wide receiver.
After his junior season, Gilmore decided to leave South Carolina early and enter the NFL draft.
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The Bills have spent the offseason adding players that will fit in new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt’s 4-3 defense. Mario Williams and Marc Anderson were added in free-agency to improve the pass rush. The Bills will have to wait a few more weeks to get those guys on the field during the team’s OTAs, but last weekend the Bills got a chance to see their first round pick at the team’s rookie camp.
Gilmore didn’t disappoint. On the very first day of rookie camp, Gilmore walked off the field having already intercepted a pass. Over the course of the weekend, Gilmore intercepted three passes during seven on seven drills.
There was no doubt to anyone watching the Bills rookies practice last weekend who the first round pick was. Gilmore stood out as a Prince on a field full of dragons. Many of the players at rookie camp won’t step on an NFL field this fall. Gilmore will be one of the Bills starting corners from day 1, just like he was at South Carolina.
Wannstedt spent most of his time coaching the rookies with at least one eye on Gilmore. The coach repeatedly reminded Gilmore to use his hands and be aggressive. In college, Gilmore could turn his hips and use his speed to run with the wide receivers. In the NFL, he will need to be more aggressive.
Gilmore is aware that improving his technique is his most important job this offseason. Gilmore told ProPlayerInsiders, “Most of the time I try to use my speed and run with receivers, but if I get my hand on then I can be a better player. I am a physical player. If I keep being physical with players I will be alright.”
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After the draft there was some talk that Gilmore didn’t look excited to be drafted by the Bills. He didn’t dance out to the Commissioner and dap him up with some sort of secret handshake. Gilmore was just being himself. He is a mild mannered kid who loves to fish during his free time. Gilmore won’t be a huge presence at the night clubs in Buffalo like Marshawn Lynch was, instead he will be knee deep in the streams catching trout.
WGR 550 Bills beat reporter Paul Hamilton said that Gilmore was in much better spirits when he was introduced to the media in Buffalo the day after the draft. Hamilton dismissed the perceived indifference at the draft saying, “I just think that is who he is as a person.”
Gilmore’s mother Linda told BuffaloBills.Com that her son is a quiet kid who is focused on football and has never been in trouble. “He has always been a good example for his brothers and sisters. I have gotten so many compliments about Stephon. Someone told me that the reason I had so many kids was because Stephon was so easy.”
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