JACKSONVILLE – This was the latest big moment for Dede Westbrook.
And even though he has experienced a ton of big football moments, the one that happened at EverBank Field Tuesday afternoon no doubt was a memorable one.
Westbrook, a wide receiver from Oklahoma and a fourth-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2017 NFL Draft, on Tuesday at EverBank Field signed his rookie contract with the team.
"It feels great," Westbrook said. "I'm here for the next three-and-a-half or four years, and being able to supply for my children and family is great."
"It just wasn't me that got here. There were a lot of people who helped me along the way. It's a great time to give thanks for the people who helped me get here, and I've done that."
Family was also the answer when Westbrook was asked his first big purchase after signing his first NFL contract.
"My first big purchase is to fly my children here, and we all go to Disney World," he said, smiling.
Westbrook (6-feet-0, 178 pounds), a 2016 Heisman Trophy finalist and the No. 110 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, also was the winner of the 2016 Biletnikoff Award given to the nation's top college wide receiver.
"For those things, I was there to receive awards that I'd accomplished in the past," Westbrook said. "Here I'm just a little fish in a big pond. I have to come with the same approach that I did going into junior college and college, and I believe I'm taking that same approach.
"It's very cool, but I never settle. There's always much more out there, and that's what I'm going to aim for."
Westbrook, the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2015 after transferring to Oklahoma from Blinn Community College, was a unanimous first-team All-America selection in 2016. He caught 80 passes for 1,524 yards and 17 touchdowns this past season.
Westbrook is the third of the team's seven '17 draft selections to sign with the team with seventh-round cornerback Jalen Myrick (Minnesota) signing Thursday and seventh-round fullback Marquez Williams (Miami) signing Friday.
The Jaguars also selected Louisiana State running back Leonard Fournette (first round), Alabama offensive lineman Cam Robinson (second round), Illinois defensive end Dawuane Smoot (third round) and Ohio linebacker Blair Brown (fifth round).
