The Jacksonville Jaguars today signed rookie defensive end Austen Lane to a contract. Lane was selected in the fifth round with the 153rd overall pick and is the second of the team's six draft picks to sign a contract.
Lane, 6-5, 274, was the highest drafted player in Murray State history. He started 40 of 43 games in his career and set a school-record with 29 sacks and 55 tackles for loss. He finished his career with 211 tackles, 42 quarterback pressures, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one interception and four blocked kicks. He became the first player in school history with 10-plus sacks and 20-plus tackles for loss in two different seasons.
Lane started all 11 games as a senior at right defensive end and finished with a career-high 65 tackles along with 11 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss and 19 quarterback pressures. He tied for fifth in the nation with four forced fumbles. His play earned him first-team FCS All-America honors by The NFL Draft Report. He set school records with 12 sacks and 22 tackles for loss as a junior.
A native of Iola, Wisconsin, Lane accepted his only scholarship offer after starring at Iola-Sandinavia High School. He had less than 60 people in his graduating class.
