The Jacksonville Jaguars signed 2012 seventh-round draft pick Jeris Pendleton to a contract, the club announced today. Pendleton was the 228th overall pick in the draft and is the third of the Jaguars' six draft picks to sign a contract, joining defensive end Andre Branch and cornerback Mike Harris.
Pendleton, 6-2, 328, played two seasons at Ashland University where he finished with 11 tackles for loss and six sacks as a defensive tackle. He started all 11 games as a senior and totaled 49 tackles, five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. He spent his first two seasons at Joliet Junior College.
A native of Chicago, Pendleton attended Dunbar Vocational Career Academy and didn't attend college until age 24. He took a housekeeping job at a nursing home following high school for two and a half years before doing construction work for a year and a half to support his family.