NEW YORK – Former University of South Alabama football wide receiver Courtney Smith became the first Jaguar in the program’s history to join a National Football League team Thursday when he signed a free agent deal with the New York Jets.

"I believe that Courtney [Smith] made up his mind a long time ago what he wanted to do, and a lot of times I think if you keep telling yourself that eventually it will become true. There is no doubt that he spent a lot of time and effort to get this far," said USA head coach Joey Jones.  "I am very proud of him and the chance he has to make an NFL team.  He has paid his dues, so I think Courtney understands what it takes to make it at that level."

Smith made history in January when he became the first Jaguar to play in the Under Armour Senior Bowl. In his first game as a Jaguar, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound New Orleans, La., native scored the first points in USA history when he caught a 60-yard pass from Myles Gibbon in the final seconds of the opening quarter of the Jags’ first-ever game against Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy on Sept. 5, 2009. He would go on to finish the contest with five receptions for 104 yards to help lead USA to a 30-13 win.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan, in a conference call for reporters, specifically named Smith as one of the free agents who stand out among those just signed by the team.

“I got involved a little bit with these undrafted free agents. I did a little recruiting with that. Nick Bellore is a Central Michigan guy we felt really strongly about,” Ryan said of the 6-foot-1, 250-pound inside linebacker from Whitefish Bay, Wis. “And Courtney Smith from South Alabama is another young man. … We have several really good players. Those are the guys that jump out at me.”

In his two-year career at South Alabama, Smith finished with 58 receptions for 1,065 yards and 10 touchdowns. He started all 17 games the Jaguars have played the last two years, and posted at least one reception in every contest.

"We are awfully proud of Courtney, and also proud as program to have someone going to an NFL camp after just our second season," Jones said.  "I think we have others with us right now who will have the same opportunity down the road, but it is definitely a big shot in the arm for our program."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

-USA-