Nine of the 11 draft choices of the Jacksonville Jaguars have verbally agreed to terms with the team. Terms and length of the deals are not disclosed. The nine players are:
- Cornerback Cordell Taylor (second round) started 41 of 44 games at Hampton University and had nine interceptions
- Quarterback Jonathan Quinn (third round) is the highest-selected quarterback by the Jaguars and set numerous school records at Middle Tennessee State
- Running back Tavian Banks (fourth round) set the University of Iowa record with 36 career touch downs and ranks second on the all-time rushing list
- Defensive tackle Harry Deligianis (fourth round) recorded 17 sacks and 18 tackles for loss as a senior at Youngstown State
- Offensive lineman John Wade (fifth round) helped Marshall rank seventh in the nation in total offense in 1997, the Thundering Herd's first year in NCAA Division I-A
- Defensive end Lamanzer Williams (sixth round) holds the University of Minnesota school-record for career sacks with 23.5, including 18.5 in his senior year
- Fullback Kevin McLeod (sixth round) from Auburn saw action primarily as a blocking back, playing both tight end and fullback
- Wide receiver Alvis Whitted (seventh round) ranks second all-time with 1,929 yards on kickoff returns at North Carolina State, where he also excelled on the track
- Linebacker Brandon Tolbert (seventh round) from the University of Georgia is a solid outside line-backer and special teams player.
The only two players who have not agreed to terms with the team are the first-round draft choices, running back Fred Taylor (ninth overall) and safety Donovin Darius (25th overall).
"Our philosophy is to sign players early and we are doing this once again," said Michael Huyghue, the Jaguars' senior vice president of football operations. "Our discussions with the other two draft choices have gone well and we would expect to reach agreement in due time."
The Jaguars' rookie orientation program begins June 1. "Once the players are signed, they will be able to focus entirely on football," added Huyghue. "That way they can participate in the pre-camp and concentrate on their jobs rather than contract negotiations."
