JACKSONVILLE – The rookie class is becoming official in a hurry.
The Jaguars on Tuesday afternoon moved past the halfway point in signing their 2017 draft class with their second signing of the day.
Blair Brown, a linebacker from Ohio University and the Jaguars' fifth-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, signed his rookie contract with the team at EverBank Field early Tuesday afternoon. Fourth-round wide receiver Dede Westbrook signed around noon Tuesday.
"My heart's racing a little bit," Brown said. "It was definitely a big moment for me, just being able to sit down and actually look at the NFL contract and see my name on it. It's kind of a dream come true."
Brown said he had dreamed about playing the NFL since he was five years old.
Brown (6-feet-0, 238 pounds), an All-MAC selection as a senior this past season, led the team with 128 tackles including tackles 15 for loss and 4.5 sacks. Jaguars director of college scouting Mark Ellenz during the draft called Brown a "run-and-hit" guy with legitimate NFL speed.
Brown said he began seriously considering the possibility of an NFL career this past season after Ohio played Tennessee.
"I just started seeing my name get out there a little bit, and once I got to the [NFL Scouting Combine in March], people started to notice who I was," Brown said.
Brown participated in the team's rookie minicamp this past weekend, and has been working with the Jaguars' veterans the last two days as Phase Two of the voluntary offseason program continues.
"I think I'm catching on to the playbook pretty well," he said. "It's not that complicated, and I think I'm fitting in pretty well to the system."
Westbrook and Brown were the third and fourth of the team's seven 2017 draft selections, respectively, to sign with the team. Seventh-round cornerback Jalen Myrick (Minnesota) signed Thursday and seventh-round fullback Marquez Williams (Miami) signed Friday.
The Jaguars also selected Louisiana State running back Leonard Fournette (first round), Alabama offensive lineman Cam Robinson (second round) and Illinois defensive end Dawuane Smoot (third round).
