Eli Apple Goes No. 10 to Giants

Former Eastern star gets a call from the Giants at No. 10

By AL THOMPSON
Wire Sports Editor
The Giants continued their effort to upgrade their defense on the opening night of the NFL Draft, when they selected Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple, who hails from Voorhees and was a standout two-way player for Eastern High school.
With their first-round choice, No. 10 overall, the Giants selected Apple, now the teammate of quarterback Eli Manning, who is 15 years older.
“Hopefully, he makes a name for himself,” said Marc Ross, the Giants’ vice president, player evaluation. “He’s got the perfect name for New York and here.”
Apple, 6-1 and 200 pounds, packed a lot into a two-season career with the Buckeyes following his 2013 redshirt year. He was a freshman All-America, national champion, second-team All-Big Ten, and the Defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl. Apple played in 28 games (27 starts) and had 86 tackles (56 solo), four interceptions, 22 passes defensed, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
The New York City “Apple” and “Eli” headline puns will not doubt go on for years.
At his post draft press conference, it was pointed out to Apple that he was picked by a team 90 minutes or so from where he grew up.
“I know,” Apple said. “That was like the first thing I thought about. When I saw them calling me and it was a New Jersey number, it looked kind of familiar. I didn’t know if I had to pick it up. I was like, “Oh my goodness, this is probably one my friends trying to prank call me.” My mom was like, “Yeah, don’t pick it up.” My coach was like, “What you mean? Pick it up.” So I pick it up and it was one of the Giants coaches and I was very happy.”
Apple was asked when he picked up the phone, was he worried it could still be a prank?
“Yeah, I was just a little guarded like, “Okay, this better be a coach or something,” he said with a laugh. “I didn’t know who it was, but then it was the dude from the Giants, so I was very happy.