JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars signed 2013 first-round draft pick Luke Joeckel to a contract, the club announced today. Joeckel was the second overall pick in the draft, tied for the highest draft pick in franchise history. Five of the club's eight draft picks in 2013 are under contract.
Joeckel, 6-6, 306, was only the third offensive lineman taken in the first round in Jaguars history. He started all 39 games of his career at Texas A&M and was honored with the Outland Trophy in 2012 as the nation's best offensive lineman. As a junior in 2012, he recorded 129 knockdowns and 20 touchdown-resulting blocks while helping the Aggies lead the SEC in total offense, scoring, rushing and passing. He was a unanimous first-team All-America selection and the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy Award, given annually to the conference's top blocker.
The Arlington, Texas native was the first player from Texas A&M drafted by the Jaguars and the highest drafted offensive lineman in school history. He has a twin brother, Matt, who is a quarterback for the Aggies.
Joeckel attended Arlington High School where he earned consensus All-America honors as a senior and was a second-team all-state offensive tackle as a junior. He graduated early in January of 2010 after attaining a 3.5 grade point average.