Kayvon Thibodeaux has a personality built for the Big Apple. So does his gap-toothed mentor.
Michael Strahan, who turned a Hall of Fame career into a larger-than-life media presence in his post-playing days, advised the star edge defender from the University of Oregon leading up the draft. It could be the beginning of a beautiful mentorship.
"He literally is one of my mentors, and he's been talking to me throughout this process," said Thibodeaux shortly after the Giants drafted him fifth overall on Thursday night. "He actually came to visit me when I was on my [prospect] visit with the team, so seeing him out there, that was really dope because he's given me wisdom and he even was able to speak on my behalf because we have built a relationship over the year."
As famous as he is now, Strahan knows it wouldn't have happened if he didn't produce on the field and the team didn't win.
"It's really dope because he has literally walked in my footsteps and can show me the ropes on the field and off the field," Thibodeaux said.
View photos of the Giants' draft picks as they tour their new home.
CB Cor'dale Flott, OL Joshua Ezedu, WR Wan'dale Robinson
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, OT Evan Neal
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
CB Cor'dale Flott
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Evan Neal
OT Evan Neal
General Manager Joe Schoen, OT Evan Neal, Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, Head Coach Brian Daboll
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Evan Neal, Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Evan Neal
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, right, stands next to with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the New York Giants with the fifth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher )
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal poses for photos after being picked by the New York Giants with the seventh pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher )
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, from left, Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL, and Sam Prince hold a team jersey after Kayvon Thibodeaux was chosen by the New York Giants with the 5th pick at the 2022 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal, left, and Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL, holds a team jersey after Evan Neal was chosen by the New York Giants with the 7th pick at the 2022 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux celebrates on stage after being selected as the 5th pick for the New York Giants in the NFL football draft on Thursday, April, 28 2022 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux arrives on the red carpet before the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff lewis)
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux arrives on the red carpet before the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff lewis)
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal celebrates with fans after being picked by the New York Giants with the seventh pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal celebrates with fans after being picked by the New York Giants with the seventh pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux enters the stage after being picked by the New York Giants with the fifth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux enters the stage after being picked by the New York Giants with the fifth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal poses for photos after being picked by the New York Giants with the seventh pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher )
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux holds a team jersey after he was chosen by the New York Giants with the 5th pick at the 2022 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the New York Giants with the seventh pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the New York Giants with the seventh pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the New York Giants with the seventh pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal enters the stage after being picked by the New York Giants with the seventh pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher )
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal holds a team jersey after he was chosen by the New York Giants with the 7th pick at the 2022 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal puts on a hat after being picked by the New York Giants with the seventh pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher )
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux celebrates with supporters after being picked by the New York Giants with the fifth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux celebrates with supporters after being picked by the New York Giants with the fifth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux holds a jersey after being picked by the New York Giants with the fifth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher )
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux poses on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux holds a jersey after being picked by the New York Giants with the fifth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher )
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux shakes hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the New York Giants with the fifth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher )
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal poses on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux enters the stage after being picked by the New York Giants with the fifth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux holds up a jersey for the New York Giants with the 5th pick in the NFL football draft on Thursday, April, 28 2022 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux poses on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal walks towards the stage after being selected by the New York Giants seventh overall during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal high fives a New York Giants fan during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses on the red carpet before the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal takes a selfie with New York Giants fans during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal smiles as he approaches excited New York Giants fans during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal takes a selfie with New York Giants fans during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal signs a New York Giants fan's jersey during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses with New York Giants fans after being selected during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses with New York Giants fans after being selected during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses with New York Giants fans during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses on the red carpet before the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses with New York Giants fans after being selected during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses with his parents on the red carpet before the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux celebrates with New York Giants fans after being selected during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses on the red carpet before the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses on the red carpet before the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal arrives on the red carpet before the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Joe Buglewicz/AP Images for NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal hugs NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the New York Giants seventh overall during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after selected by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the New York Giants seventh overall during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal poses for a photo after being selected by the New York Giants seventh overall during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal walks towards the stage after being selected by the New York Giants seventh overall during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux walks towards the stage after being selected fifth overall by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for a photo after being selected fifth overall by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux walks towards the stage after being selected fifth overall by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux sits in the green room during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux walks towards the stage after being selected fifth overall by the New York Giants during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Evan Neal
OT Evan Neal
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Evan Neal
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Evan Neal
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Evan Neal
General Manager Joe Schoen, OT Evan Neal, Head Coach Brian Daboll
General Manager Joe Schoen, OT Evan Neal, Head Coach Brian Daboll
OT Evan Neal
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Evan Neal
OT Evan Neal
CB Cor'dale Flott
WR Wan'dale Robinson
WR Wan'dale Robinson
CB Cor'dale Flott
OL Joshua Ezedu
WR Wan'dale Robinson
WR Wan'dale Robinson
WR Wan'dale Robinson
OL Joshua Ezedu
OL Joshua Ezedu
WR Wan'dale Robinson
WR Wan'dale Robinson
OL Joshua Ezedu
OL Joshua Ezedu
OL Joshua Ezedu
CB Cor'dale Flott
OL Joshua Ezedu
CB Cor'dale Flott
CB Cor'dale Flott, WR Wan'dale Robinson
WR Wan'dale Robinson
CB Cor'Dale Flott
CB Cor'Dale Flott
WR Wan'dale Robinson
WR Wan'dale Robinson
CB Cor'Dale Flott
CB Cor'Dale Flott
OL Joshua Ezeudu
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
OL Joshua Ezeudu
With Thibodeaux, the production has also matched the persona.
He finished tied for seventh in Oregon history with 19.0 career sacks in 31 games, and his 34.5 career tackles for loss are the fifth-most among active Power 5 players since the start of 2019. While he was one of the best players in college football, he now joins a league chock-full of players who can say the same thing.
So, how will he handle the quantum leap, especially if things don't start out well?
The New York Giants wanted to know the answer to that question during their combine interview with him back in February.
"Just giving me a hard time like what's going to happen if I'm not the star coming in?" Thibodeaux recalled of the conversation at the time. "Five games in, if I don't have a sack – this is one thing we talked about – the media is going to be down on me. I'm going to be in the doghouse. How am I going to [handle] that? And I let them know I've been in the media since I was a sophomore in high school. I've been trained for this my whole life, and I know that most of it is entertainment. So I'm not really worried because whatever happens between the four walls of the team and the organization is what's going to dictate the future. And if I have five bad games, we're going to focus on that next week and how we're going to dominate the team that is next."
That is easier said than done for some. After all, the pressure in a big-time media market is a little different than the comforts of the Ducks' campus in Eugene. Why will it work in New York?
"Because I'm hungry," said Thibodeaux, who is from South Central Los Angeles. "I'm really competitive and hungry, and I feel like New York is the pinnacle of a dog-eat-dog world."
Clearly, the Giants thought he could handle it based on all the pre-draft time they spent with him.
"I like coaching good guys," coach Brian Daboll said. "Everybody has a different personality. When you're coaching in the National Football League for 22 years, you come across a lot of different characters, and as long as they love football and they are a pro on and off the field. I have six kids, and they all have different personalities. And that's the job of a coach, too, to learn your players, what makes them tick, how to push them when they need pushed, how to hug them when they need a hug. Felt very comfortable with him."
