Throughout the draft process, cornerback Vernon Hargreaves had hinted that he was interested in joining the Buccaneers. A native of the Bay Area, Hargreaves played his high school ball at Wharton High School in Tampa and wore cleats with the words "City of Tampa" on them during the NFL Scouting Combine and his Pro Day workout at the University of Florida.
Hargreaves remained neutral through the draft process, giving the same vanilla company line that most prospects will give when they're asked if there's a specific team they'd like to join. After he was selected by the Buccaneers at No. 11, though, he admitted that he'd been hoping the Buccaneers would draft him all along.
Photos from the Draft Room at One Buccaneer Place and Vernon Hargreaves in Chicago.
AP Images
AP Images
AP Images
"Of course," he said when asked if he had hoped the Bucs would select him. "It's Tampa, what's there not to love? Going back home is going to be great."
Hargreaves' mother lives a short distance from the Bucs' facilities; she could get to Raymond James Stadium in about 45 minutes. Hargreaves will spend the forseeable future playing in front of his home town crowd, including friends and family. He's excited, but doesn't feel any pressure.
"I don't even know if I can put that into words," he said. "I'll have to wait until it happens – I'll have to wait until after the first game, and then you'll have to ask me that again. I have my little saying, it's, 'Pressure makes diamonds,' so I love the pressure. And you know what? There is no pressure playing at home. I'm at home, I'm comfortable."
