UGA’s Cordy Glenn ‘excited, relieved’ to be selected 41st in draft by Bills

Cordy Glenn's decision to return to Georgia his senior season to play left tackle made him a lot of money in the NFL draft on Friday. (UGA photo by Phillip Faulkner)

Georgia’s Cordy Glenn had to wait a lot longer than he expected – longer than anybody expected really – but he realized his lifelong dream of becoming a professional football player Friday night.

Glenn, an offensive lineman from Riverdale, was selected by Buffalo with the ninth pick of the second round and 41st overall on Friday. The 6-foot-5 ½, 348-pound tackle was one of 26 players invited by the NFL to Radio City Music Hall in New York for Thursday night’s festivities only to go un-drafted. Glenn returned to Atlanta on Friday and it was back at home where he got the news that the Bills had selected him.

“I am happy,” Glenn said on the Buffalo Bills website. “One, I get to play left tackle and, two, Buffalo is one of my favorite teams. I am just happy I get to play football. I know where I am playing at now. It is a big relief. . . . I wish I could have [been selected] earlier but I am just happy to be picked. It is a big honor.”

Glenn was considered by most draft analysts as a sure-fire first-round selection because of his ability to play either guard or tackle and especially after turning in a sub-5.0 seconds 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. ESPN’s  Jon Gruden said during Friday’s television broadcast he was “shocked” Glenn lasted as long as he did. Instead, six offensive linemen were selected ahead of him.

Glenn started 50 games in four years while for the Bulldogs, including all 14 at left tackle this past season. Thirty-two of his overall starts came at guard.

As it is, Glenn was the first Georgia player off the board in the 2012 draft. Several other Bulldogs were still waiting to hear their names get called, including tight end Orson Charles, the only underclassman of the group. Others hoping to fulfill NFL ambitions this year are cornerback Brandon Boykin, center Ben Jones, tackle Justin Anderson, punter Drew Butler and tight end Aron White.

Buffalo had put the word out after Thursday’s first round was over that they were eying an offensive lineman such as Glenn in the second round. The Bills were among the NFL leaders for sacks allowed but were heading into the fall with just three tackles on the roster and that’s where they intend to give Glenn the first look.

“For us a guy with that size and that type of foot athlete, you try him out at tackle,” Doug Whaley, Buffalo’s director of player development, told reporters covering the draft. “We believe he’s got a chance to play there and produce there at a high level.”

Glenn was happy to hear the Bills like him as a tackle.

“They thought I could play tackle but . . . I’ll help out at whatever position they need me to play, honestly, Glenn said.

Georgia coach Mark Richt said Glenn’s decision to come back his senior season and play tackle full time definitely benefited him.

“I think he made a wise decision to come back and play another year and prove he could be athletic enough to play on the edge, too, in the best league in college football,” Richt said.

In Buffalo, Glenn will join fellow SEC competitor Stephon Gilmore, a cornerback from South Carolina who was chosen with the 10th overall pick. He will be playing for former Georgia Tech head coach Chan Gailey.

Here’s the full transcript of Glenn’s teleconference call with reporters late Friday night:

On his reaction to being picked by the Bills . . .

“I am happy. One I get to play left tackle and two Buffalo is one of my favorite teams. I am just happy I get to play football. I know where I am playing at now. It is a big relief.”

On why he is excited to play for the Bills . . .

“The coach [Chan Gailey]. I like the coaching staff. I like the offensive line coach (Joe D’Alessandris). I like the way he coaches, so (Buffalo) was definitely a big favorite of mine.”

On having to wait until the second round to be drafted . . .

“I wish I could have got off early but I am just happy to be picked right now. It is a big honor.”

On his development as a left tackle . . .

“I would just say that I came out to a slower start. And then I got better as the season went on as I got more comfortable out there. I still do not think I have played my best game out there.”

On if he was afraid of being drafted by a team who did not view him as a tackle . . .

“I think with my athletic ability it would be hard for a team to pass that up.”

On how pleased he is that the Bills view him as a left tackle . . .

“I am extremely pleased and ready to start just focusing on football again. Get off of this process that is finally over. I am excited about it.”

On if the Bills told him during meetings that they viewed him as a left tackle . . .

“They thought I could play tackle but I am just going to go in there and try out the vibe. I’ll help out at whatever position they need me to play, honestly.”

On the Bills having a need at left tackle . . .

“It is (exciting). That is the whole point. I am excited to go out there and play. I am ready for it.”

On if he was at home . . .

“Yeah, I am at home.”

On if he felt that he might be drafted earlier:

“Yeah, I did actually. But things happen for a reason. I am just happy to be with the Bills.”

On if it was a big disappointment he was not drafted earlier . . .

“I would not say that. I am pretty happy with the team I got picked by.”

On his reaction when the phone rang and it was the Bills . . .

“Extremely happy. I talked to Chan first. I talked to Buddy (Nix). Very happy. Probably the happiest moment of my life.”

On what he brings to the table aside from his size . . .

“Beside my size: versatility, quickness, strength power, everything the whole nine.”