General Manager Buddy Nix:
It is my pleasure to introduce to you our first selection with the number 10 pick from South Carolina Stephon Gilmore. You hear me enough so I am going to turn it over to him.
Stephon Gilmore:
On his impression of Buffalo and the Bills franchise:
It has been a great experience meeting a lot of great people around the organization. I met a couple of players. My Mom and Dad are here with me, and my girlfriend. I am just enjoying my time here.
On if he was surprised when the Bills selected him:
I was not surprised. I knew they were in the hunt of picking me and I am happy they chose me. I am happy to be a part of this organization. I am just ready to play some football now.
On if he had gotten a good vibe from the Bills before the draft:
They did not really give me a hint of what they were going to do. But I enjoyed myself down here and did not expect to come back down here. But I did and I am happy with that decision. I am ready to play.
On the importance of having his family with him in Buffalo:
It is very important because I think that them coming to see where I am going to be working out at, where I am going to be living at and where I am going to do everything at. This was a big day for me and I wanted them to come and experience it with me.
On having to move far away from home in South Carolina:
I think I will take it pretty well. I always work hard and I am going to compete in everything I do. That is the only thing I can do and give them my hardest. I think I will be well with that.
On the prospect of playing in the snow:
It is something that you have to do. You still have to play football. You still have to go out there and put your cleats on. It is still football, it is just cold outside. So it is no adjustment. I love playing the game and if you really love playing the game, you will play it in any condition.
On the transition from being a high school quarterback and then a cornerback in college:
I actually graduated high school early and I went in during the spring; my dedication and hard work. I work hard no matter what I am doing. I think that is why I am where I am at now.
On what his hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina is like:
It is just football. In South Carolina you are either a Clemson fan or a South Carolina fan. We breathe football down there and some hard-nosed football is all we know. Luckily I got drafted to a football town so I am just happy to be here.
On if he knows former Bills first round pick and Rock Hill, South Carolina native Jeff Burris:
Yeah I know Jeff Burris. His brother actually coached me in high school so I met him a couple of times. He told me to enjoy myself down here. There are great people around here. He said I will like it here.
On whom he credits for his success:
My parents. They have always been there for me. They always told me if I work hard the sky is the limit. And no matter what they have always been there for me. I have a big family. I have four sisters and one brother. I'm just trying to be a great role model for them and God blessed me. I am just happy to be here.
On his upside as a cornerback:
I think I have a lot to learn. I do not know it all so I am willing to learn whatever the coaches teach me. I am a confident player no matter what. I go 100-percent and I am just here to learn and do my job.
On how he would describe his personality:
I am more of a laid back type off the field. I take things seriously. I take care of my business and once I get on the field I am louder. I talk to my teammates. I come out of the shell a little bit more when I am on the field.
On the difficulties at the cornerback position:
I mean things happen especially at the cornerback spot so you've got to minimalize the bad plays. Things are going to happen and you put it behind you and try to make a play after that.
On his college recruiting visits and if he had his schools narrowed down:
I had it narrowed down pretty early to Alabama and South Carolina. I didn't want to go to Alabama because they already were a big time school and I wanted to go to South Carolina because they needed players like myself to get that edge and be a winning program. I think in my three years being there we did that.
On if it was clear that both teams were going to recruit him as a cornerback:
Yes, sir.
On what type of player he thinks he is:
I think I like being physical. I think that's the strongest part of my game. I love the physical part, the hard nose part of playing football. I just love playing the game. I've been playing this since I was seven years old and I enjoy playing it.
On when he started thinking that being drafted was a reality for him:
I always dreamed about it. I told my Mom when I was seven years old I was getting drafted somewhere. It's like a dream come true. I've been working hard since I was seven. I always compete at everything I do. I've been blessed to be in this position.
On if his dream of being drafted ever included a specific team:
No team.
On what his favorite team was growing up:
I didn't have a favorite team growing up. I grew up beside the Carolina Panthers but I wasn't really a fan of them. The Buffalo Bills is my favorite team now.
On what his GPA was and how far away from graduation he is:
I have a 3.2 GPA. I took school serious. I'm going to go back and get my degree when I get a chance. I was two semesters away. I'm pretty close. I was a smart person that took class serious.
On if he typically went up against South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery in practice:
Alshon and I always went against each other on one-on-ones. We were the first people that went against each other every day. We competed against each other. Sometimes we even got in fights in practice competing so hard. Alshon is a great player. We got each other better and I'm pretty sure we'll see each other at the next level.
On going against the SEC players and how much that has prepared him:
I think it's prepared me pretty well. I've played against players that are doing well in the NFL right now. Me going to the NFL, I want to do well. I'll just keep working hard every day and take it one day at a time.
On how playing for Coach Steve Spurrier has helped him:
He helped me out a lot to try and know what offenses do to defenses. He was more of an if you play hard he would go with you. I learned a lot from him. I'm going to miss him.
On what he specifically needs to continue to work on:
Just keep working on my technique and just working on watching on film more. Just learning what other teams are trying to do to other NFL teams because this is going to be my first time watching film and getting to know the different players. I think that's the transition I've got to make.
On if he's met any of the Bills players yet:
I met a couple of them like Shawne Merriman. I didn't get to meet a lot of them but I'm going to get to know them. I've heard they are a good group of guys and I'm looking forward to it.
On if he knows RB C.J. Spiller:
Yeah I know C.J. a little bit. I played against him my sophomore year.
