Q. Colton, how are you feeling right now? What's going through your head?
COLTON HOOD: I feel great. Just being able to realize my dreams, you know what I'm saying? I grew up dreaming about playing in the NFL, and getting to do it for such a storied franchise such as the Giants, it's just a great feeling.
Q. Where are you right now?
COLTON HOOD: I'm in Atlanta right now.
Q. Obviously you were in Pittsburgh last night. What led to your decision to go home rather than stay there?
COLTON HOOD: I just felt more comfortable at home, just being around my family members and friends.
Q. Take us through the experience for you. What was yesterday like, and how gratifying was today as a result?
COLTON HOOD: Yeah, of course it was disappointing. I know God does everything for a reason. He was probably preventing me from something or had something better in store for me, and that being the Giants.
I'm super excited to go into this next chapter of my life and will just go in there and do my best and give my all and be the best version of myself.
Q. What was the contact like with the Giants leading up to the draft? Come in for a visit or anything like that?
COLTON HOOD: No, I didn't really have much time with them besides the formal I had with them at the Combine.
Q. How surprising was this for you then, that you ended up with the Giants and in New York?
COLTON HOOD: It was surprising for sure.
Q. What's your impression of the Giants, just brief kind of getting to know them at the Combine and the formal?
COLTON HOOD: Coach Harbaugh coached my uncle when he was in Philly. My uncle always told me what a presence he was and also how hard of a coach he was and how good of a coach he was. Definitely somebody I want to be coached by and somebody I want to play for.
Q. Has your uncle told you anything else in the brief time that you've had between getting picked?
COLTON HOOD: No, not really. Just saying go to work, to be honest. That's it.
Q. What do you know about the Giants defense and the room you'll be joining, the cornerback room?
COLTON HOOD: What do I know? I know Cor'Dale Flott left. I'm not really too familiar with the new guys or anything. But I'm just ready to come in and gel with my teammates and go out there and compete.
Q. What are the Giants getting with Colton Hood, the player?
COLTON HOOD: I think they're getting the most competitive person in the Draft, the best cornerback in the Draft, and someone who's going to come out and give his all each Sunday.
Q. How important is it for you to play physically, including in the run game, even though you're outside at corner?
COLTON HOOD: It's extremely important. Like I said, I consider myself a competitor. I can't talk about myself like that in that manner if I'm not going to want to come up and hit somebody. It's extremely important and something that I value in my game.
Q. You mentioned thinking, believing you're the best cornerback in the Draft. Is yesterday something you use for motivation? Is it something that you'll think about with the teams that passed on you?
COLTON HOOD: For sure, but I'm saying it's more just wanting to prove the Giants right and just thanking them for taking a chance on me and giving my all back to them and this organization.
Q. John Harbaugh was talking about how you're going to come in here and compete to start. Have they talked to you yet about the opportunity you have ahead of you?
COLTON HOOD: No, I think I will tomorrow. I haven't spoken to them yet.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports