JACKSONVILLE – The NFL dream became official – really official – for Leon Jacobs Thursday.
Jacobs, a linebacker and a seventh-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2018 NFL Draft, on Thursday afternoon signed his rookie contract with the team. He was the second member of the team's '18 draft class to do so on Thursday.
"It just feels surreal," Jacobs said shortly after signing. "I've been working for this moment since high school. To see all the hard work you put in through high school and college … obviously this is just the first step, but it feels good."
Jacobs signed with the team shortly after arriving for the team's rookie minicamp, which will be held through Sunday.
"Not that many people are blessed to be part of this league, so it's special," he said.
Jacobs (6-feet-1, 246 pounds), who played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin, was one of two seventh-round selections by the Jaguars in the '18 draft. The Jaguars selected Jacobs No. 230 overall.
Jacobs, a redshirt senior, played 14 games as a senior with 3.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss this past season. He attended the NFL Scouting Combine this offseason and his 59 career games at Wisconsin are the most in FBS history.
He had 142 career tackles, including 15.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Of his plans for rookie minicamp, Jacobs said: "Just be quiet … be a sponge, soak up what the coaches have to say. I'm just going to go out there and do what I do best."
The Jaguars also on Thursday signed seventh-round punter Logan Cooke (Mississippi State, No. 247 overall). Their other '18 draft selections: defensive lineman Taven Bryan from the University of Florida No. 29 overall in Round 1, wide receiver DJ Chark from Louisiana State No. 61 overall in Round 2, Alabama safety Ronnie Harrison No. 93 overall in Round 3, North Carolina State offensive tackle Will Richardson No. 129 overall in Round 4 and Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee No. 203 overall in Round 6.
