Fourth-round draft pick James Sample, a safety from Louisville, and seventh-round selection Neal Sterling, a wide receiver from Monmouth, became the second and third players taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars two weeks ago to sign a contract with them.
The Jaguars announced Wednesday that both James and Sterling joined first-round pick Dante Fowler Jr. among the ranks of those under contract. Fowler, the defensive end out of Florida who was chosen third overall, tore the ACL in his left knee during rookie minicamp last week and will miss the 2015 season.
Sample played one year at Louisville after beginning his college career at Washington and American River College in California and was second on the Cardinals in interceptions with four. The Jaguars are expecting him and veteran free-agent signing Sergio Brown to compete for the starting job at free safety, a position which Josh Evans held down for the better part of the past two seasons.
The 6-foot-3, 238-pound Sterling finished his college career with 212 catches for 2,615 yards and 22 touchdowns in 43 career games and had at least five scoring receptions in all four seasons. Sterling was a first-team All-Big South selection as a senior, finishing with 55 receptions for 905 yards and six touchdowns.
Sterling is only the second player in Monmouth history to ever be drafted.
The Jaguars have five more players who remain unsigned.
You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.
