JACKSONVILLE – RyQuell Armstead put his feelings simply.
"I'm just very grateful, and I'm ready to get to work," Armstead said Thursday.
Armstead, a running back from Temple University, was a fifth-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2019 NFL Draft – the No. 140 selection overall. He signed his rookie contract with the Jaguars late Thursday afternoon.
"It's everything I've dreamed of," Armstead said. "I can't wait."
Armstead (5-feet-11, 220 pounds), played 47 career games in college and rushed for 2,812 yards and 34 touchdowns on 573 carries for a 4.9-yards-per-carry average. He finished 10thin the nation in rushing touchdowns as a senior and 11thin rushing yards per game (115.8), earning first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors.
Armstead, who rushed for 1,098 yards and 13 touchdowns on 210 carries this past season, caught 29 passes for 175 yards in four seasons. He will participate in the Jaguars' rookie minicamp beginning Friday at TIAA Bank Field.
"I just want to show what I'm capable of doing and be true to myself," Armstead said. "I'm a violent runner. I can block and catch the ball out of the backfield. I can do a little bit of everything. I'm very fired up."
The Jaguars now have signed three members of the 2019 draft class. Sixth-round quarterback Gardner Minshew and seventh-round defensive tackle Dontavius Russell signed earlier Thursday.
Armstead's signing leaves the Jaguars with four unsigned draft selections: edge defender Josh Allen (Round 1, No. 7 overall), right tackle Jawaan Taylor (Round 2, No. 35 overall), tight end Josh Oliver (Round 3, No. 69 overall) and linebacker Quincy Williams (Round 4, No. 98 overall).
