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New York Giants select Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux with No. 5 overall pick in 2022 NFL Draft

Jarrid Denneyby: Jarrid Denney04/29/22jarrid_denney
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Chris Pietsch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Oregon star Kayvon Thibodeaux is headed to New York.

The New York Giants selected Thibodeaux, Oregon’s former All-American edge rusher and the top recruit in program history, with the fifth overall pick Thursday night in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

After months of speculation surrounding Thibodeaux’s motivation and perceived concerns surrounding his off-field interests, Thibodeaux has ultimately landed with a franchise that values his immense physical gifts and production at the college level.

He becomes the sixth-highest drafted player in program history.

In three seasons with the Ducks, Thibodeaux racked up countless awards and honors. He was a unanimous All-American in 2021 despite missing several games with an ankle injury and was a two-time all-conference first-team selection.

After arriving at Oregon as the No. 2 overall player in the class of 2019, Thibodeaux made an immediate impact and was named the Pac-12 defensive freshman of the year in 2019, and was the Pac-12 Championship player of the game in 2020 after the Ducks topped USC.

Despite those accomplishments, though, he was just the third edge rusher selected on Thursday after the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Georgia’s Travon Walker No. 1 overall and the Detroit Lions selected Aidan Hutchinson No. 2 overall.

After performing at Oregon’s pro day earlier this month, Thibodeaux responded to the criticism that has been aimed at him throughout the Draft process.

“I’m gonna be honest: the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard is that I’m not the best player in the draft,” Thibodeaux said. “That, to me, is outrageous. With the film, with the numbers, and what I can do as far as my ability, I have confidence in what I can do.”

Now, he will get a chance to prove it on the big stage.

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