JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars are a seventh of the way there.
Jalen Myrick, a seventh-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2017 NFL Draft, on Thursday afternoon signed his rookie contract with the team.
Myrick was emotional upon being selected by the team in late April, and he was emotional again Thursday.
"It feels good to actually be under contract," Myrick said. "I'm excited about this. I was excited about getting the call. I'm just excited to get out there and play."
Myrick signed with the team shortly after arriving for the team's rookie minicamp, which will be held through Saturday at EverBank Field.
"Just learn the new playbook – that's what I'm expecting – and play football," Myrick said. "That's what I've been doing since I've been in middle school. I'm just ready to do what I've been doing forever."
Myrick, a cornerback from the University of Minnesota, was the fourth selection of the seventh round and the No. 222 selection overall. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash by a Big Ten player in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine in March: a time of 4.28 seconds.
Myrick (5-feet-10, 201 pounds) registered 41 tackles in 2016 including 3.5 for loss. He also had an interception and 11 passes defensed.
Asked about his skill set and what he does well, Myrick replied: "Run."
"That's what I do, and that's what I do well," he said. "If you want to try to beat me, you're not going to be able to just run past me. I do that well and that's what I excel in my whole game. I use it to the best of my ability."
Myrick is the first of the team's seven '17 draft selections to sign with the team. The Jaguars also selected Louisiana State running back Leonard Fournette (first round), Alabama offensive lineman Cam Robinson (second round), Illinois defensive end Duwuane Smoot (third round), Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook (fourth round), Ohio linebacker Blair Brown (fifth round) and Miami fullback Marquez Williams (seventh round).
