The Jacksonville Jaguars signed rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert and guard/center Will Rackley, the club's first two picks in the 2011 NFL Draft, to contracts late today. Gabbert was the 10thoverall pick while Rackley was selected in the third round with the 76thoverall pick.
Gabbert, 6-5, 233, was only the second quarterback drafted by the Jaguars in the first round and the fifth overall. He was one of four quarterbacks selected in the first 12 picks in 2011, the third overall behind Cam Newton and Jake Locker. A two-year starter at Missouri, Gabbert completed 578 of 933 passes for 6,822 yards with 40 touchdowns. The 6,822 yards rank third in school history. He finished with an 18-8 record as a starter.
Gabbert, who left school following his junior season, threw for 3,186 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2010. He directed the Tigers to a 10-3 record and a share of the Big 12 Conference North Division title, only the third 10-win regular season in school history. A native of Ballwin, Missouri, he attended Parkway West High School where he was the consensus number one player in Missouri as a senior.
Rackley, a Riverdale, Ga. native, was a four-year starter at Lehigh and the highest drafted player in school history since 1974. He was a three-time All-Patriot League selection and saw action at both guard and tackle. He finished his career with an 85.2 percent grade for blocking consistency. The 6-3, 309-pound Rackley graduated in May with a degree in product design.
