Former Syracuse Orange offensive linemen Justin Pugh was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 19 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
It is no surprise Pugh went to the Giants, as a few mock drafts had the All-Big East First Teamer headed to New York. What is a surprise is that Pugh was the first SU football player to be selected. Earlier in the draft, the Buffalo Bills, now led by former Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone, bypassed on former Orange signal caller Ryan Nassib for Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel.
Pugh, who was a stud for Syracuse, will now be protecting quarterback Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl Champion, and playing for a Syracuse University alum in head coach Tom Coughlin.
For a lot of CNY sports fans this is a great pairing, as many Big Blue fans can now continue to root for Pugh, who's expected to start for New York right away.
Personally, I am excited for Pugh as this journey has been a bit up-and-down for him. To revisit it all, take a listen to an TNIAAM podcast I did with him after the NFL Combine in February.