The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed rookie defensive tackle Terrance Knighton to a contract, the seventh of the team's nine draft picks to sign a contract this year. Knighton was the first of back-to-back third-round picks in the 2009 NFL Draft, the 72nd pick overall. The club also waived rookie quarterback Todd Boeckman from Ohio State.
Knighton, 6-3, 325, played in 46 games with 34 starts as a three-year starter at Temple and finished with 26 tackles for loss along with six sacks and four forced fumbles. He was the highest drafted defensive tackle by the Jaguars since 2002 (John Henderson) and first player drafted by the club from Temple.
In 2008, Knighton finished with 54 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, team-high three fumble recoveries and one sack as a team captain. He was named the team's defensive MVP as a junior as he recorded 8.5 tackles for loss and a team-high three fumble recoveries. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
A native of Windsor, Connecticut, Knighton spent two years at Windsor High School before finishing at Milford Academy in New Berlin, New York. He played defensive end, receiver and tight end in high school.
The Jaguars are scheduled to report to training camp on Sunday, August 2 with the first practice scheduled for the morning of Monday, August 3. The club's first two picks, offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, are the only unsigned players.
