Jaguars sign 7th-round draft pick Pendleton

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed seventh-round draft pick Jeris Pendleton to a contract.

Pendleton, the 228th overall selection, is the third of the team's six draft picks to sign. Defensive end Andre Branch and cornerback Mike Harris signed deals last week.

A 6-foot-2, 328-pound defensive tackle, Pendleton had 11 tackles for loss and six sacks in two seasons at Ashland University. He spent his first two years of college at Joliet Junior College.

A native of Chicago, Pendleton didn't attend college until age 24. He took a housekeeping job at a nursing home following high school for two and a half years before doing construction work for a year and a half to support his family. He got married last month and has two kids.

Updated June 4, 2012