The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed rookie cornerback Derek Cox (pictured) and rookie wide receiver Tiquan Underwood to contracts. Cox was the 73rd overall pick in the third round, one of two third round selections. Underwood was the club’s final selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, the 253rd pick overall.
Six of the team’s nine draft picks this year have now signed contracts. 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.
Cox, 6-1, 190, was a three-year starter and two-time All-Colonial Athletic Association selection at William & Mary. He is the second-highest drafted player in school history behind with only current NFL safety Darren Sharper taken higher (2nd, 1997, Green Bay). Cox recorded nine career interceptions and 172 tackles while serving as team captain his final two seasons. He graduated with a degree in marketing and concentration in entrepreneurship.
Cox, who also saw action as a return specialist, had four interceptions as a senior in 2008 and scored two touchdowns as a punt returner and two as a cornerback. He had punt returns for scores of 89 and 80 yards. A native of Greenville, North Carolina, he lettered in football and baseball at J.H. Rose High School.
Underwood, 6-1, 178, was one of three receivers selected by the Jaguars in 2009, joining Mike Thomas (4th round) and Jarett Dillard (5th round). Underwood started 32 of 49 games at Rutgers and finished with 132 receptions for 1,931 yards and 16 touchdowns. He ranks second in school history with seven 100-yard receiving games and he also saw action as a return specialist and registered 2,887 career all-purpose yards.
In 2008, Underwood finished with 40 receptions for 494 yards and five touchdowns. He was named a member of the 2009 AFCA “Good Works” team for his outstanding work in the community. He recorded a career-high 65 receptions for 1,100 yards with seven touchdowns as a junior and teamed up with Tennessee 2009 first-round pick Kenny Britt (1,232) to become the first tandem in Big East history to post 1,000-plus receiving yards in the same season. Underwood began the season with four consecutive 100-yard receiving games and led the nation with 84.6 percent of his receptions resulting in first downs.
A native of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Underwood lettered in football, track and basketball at Notre Dame High School. His first name is pronounced tie-KWAHN.