Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Leon Searcy, who started in the Super Bowl three weeks ago today, has signed a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent. Length and terms of the contract are not disclosed.
Searcy has started 54 consecutive games (including playoffs) since replacing Tunch Ilkin at right tackle in 1993. One of the most dominating lead run blockers in the NFL, Searcy was called ³the best right tackle in the NFL² by The Sporting News this week.
A first-round draft choice of the Steelers in 1992, he was the 11th player chosen overall and the third offensive lineman behind OT's Bob Whitfield and Ray Roberts.
The 6-foot-3, 308-pound Searcy was a first-team All-America and unanimous All-Big East at Miami (Fla.), where he started the last 35 games of his career. A native of Washington D.C., he moved to Orlando when he was 14 and was named All-County and All-Conference at Maynard Evans High.
The 26-year-old Searcy did not begin playing football until his senior year of high school, but he played on three national championship teams in college, in addition to playoff action in all four of his NFL seasons with the Steelers.
