The Jacksonville Jaguars signed rookie defensive end Quentin Groves, offensive tackle Leander Jordan, wide receiver Ryan Hoag and defensive end Mkristo Bruce to contracts today. The team waived undrafted rookie free agent tight end Adam Bishop and first-year guard Pete McMahon. Groves was the 52nd overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and is the fourth of the Jaguars' five draft picks to sign contracts.
Groves, 24, started 23 of his 49 career games at defensive end while at Auburn. The 6-3, 259-pounder tied Gerald Robinson for the team record with 26 career sacks. The Greenville, Miss. native tallied 117 tackles, 37 tackles for a loss and eight forced fumbles in four seasons. He was named a finalist for the Awards and Recognition Association Sportsmanship Award given annually to the NCAA's top sportsman. He graduated with a degree in criminology.
Jordan, 30, returns to Jacksonville after playing with the Jaguars from 2002 to 2003. The 6-4, 320-pound offensive tackle has spent time with Carolina (2000-01) and San Diego (2004-06). The Pittsburgh, Pa. native has started 14 of his 37 career games. He was originally drafted by Carolina in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft out of Indiana (Pa.). He will wear jersey No. 72.
Hoag, 28, has spent time with Oakland (2003), Minnesota (2004) and Washington (2006) after being drafted by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Gustavus Adolphus. The 6-2, 200-pound wide receiver was on the Vikings squad while current Jaguars assistant head coach Mike Tice was head coach. He will wear jersey No. 13.
Bruce, 23, spent time on the Oakland Raiders practice squad in 2007 as a rookie. The 6-6, 260-pounder started three seasons at Washington State and led the team with 11 sacks as a senior. The first-year pro holds the school record with 44.5 career tackles for a loss and recorded 29.5 career sacks. He will wear jersey No. 70.
The Jaguars will report to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium today for the start of training camp and begin practice tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the practice fields.
