The Jacksonville Jaguars signed second-year fullback Harvey Ungaand rookie offensive tackleCody Booth, the club announced today. The club waived wide receiver Chad Hall and waived/injured fullback Bradie Ewing (wrist).
Unga, 6-0, 237, was a seventh-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears in the 2010 NFL Supplemental Draft. He spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve and was not with the Bears for the 2011 season. He spent parts of the 2012 and 2013 seasons on the club's practice squad and has not played in a regular season game. He was waived from the Bears practice squad on Oct. 1, 2013 and was invited to Carolina's rookie minicamp in 2014 on a tryout basis.
Unga holds the BYU record for career rushing yards with 3,455 on 696 carries in 41 games (2006-09) and scored 36 touchdowns on the ground. He added 102 receptions for 1,085 yards and nine touchdowns. He eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in each of his last three seasons and became one of only nine Cougars to record 1,000 career yards receiving and rushing. He also owns BYU bowl records for career carries (58) and yards (163). He attended Timpview High School in Provo, Utah where he was a consensus all-state selection at running back. His father, Jackson, played running back for the Cougars in the early 80's.
Booth, 6-4, 292, was signed as a rookie free agent by Chicago in 2014 and was waived on August 1. He started 26 of 41 games in four seasons (2010-13) at Temple after starting his collegiate career as a walk-on. He started 11 games as a senior at left tackle after spending three seasons at tight end. He also served as long snapper for punt and field goal units in 2011. He was nominated for the Brian Burlsworth Award in 2013, given to a former NCAA walk-on who has made the most of his opportunity. He earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology.
A native of Lancaster, Pa., Booth was a three-year letterman at Penn Manor High School where he played wide receiver, tight end, defensive end and long snapper. He had 20 receptions for 241 yards as a senior and finished his career with 48 catches for 700 yards and four touchdowns. He was also a three-year letterwinner in basketball.