New York Giants select former UTEP OL Will Hernandez with 34th overall pick

Will Hernandez was not selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, but he didn’t have to wait long on day two to hear his name called.

The New York Giants selected the former UTEP offensive lineman with the second pick of the second round (34th overall).

Hernandez was shown celebrating with friends and family in his hometown of Las Vegas on the broadcast.

“I’m beyond excited,” Hernandez said on a conference call following his selection. “The Giants all around are a great, great team. I’m just excited to be a part of the team.”

Hernandez is the second UTEP player taken in the draft in the past two seasons after running back Aaron Jones was selected in the fifth round last year by Green Bay.

“As soon as I got that call I was like, ‘Wow, this is finally happening.’ You know, I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life, ever since I started football,” he said. “So, the fact that, you know, it’s finally here, it seemed like a dream to me. But, you know, I’m glad it happened. I’m ready to go. And I’m more excited because of the team that picked me also.”

Hernandez will team up with Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, who was selected by the Giants with the second pick overall pick on Thursday.