JoJo Dickson Signs With Jacksonville

By Fred Guzman

With the lockout barely lifted, NFL teams were allowed to agree to contracts with undrafted rookies immediately on Monday.

One of the players to agree to terms was former Baldwin standout JoJo Dickson, who will join the Jacksonville Jaguars in training camp.

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound inside linebacker’s senior season with the Idaho Vandls was cut short because of a broken leg suffered in a win over New Mexico State.

Despite being limited to seven games, Dickson finished his abbreviated season with 34 tackles, returned an interception for a 34-yard fumble and recovered a fumble.

He apparently caught enough eyes to earn a shot at the NFL.

Originally, the league announced that teams could not negotiate with rookie free agents until today. However, a change was made, and teams were told they could start talking to undrafted players starting Monday.

Also today, teams will be allowed to sign their 2011 draft picks

That will impact three former University of Hawaii players: running back Alex Green, receiver Greg Salas and receiver Kealoha Pilares.

Green was picked late in the third round by defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.   Salas was chosen midway through the fourth round by the St. Louis Rams.  Pilares was the first pick of the fifth round by the Carolina Panthers.

Green rushed for 1,000 yards despite playing in a pass-oriented offense.  Salas and Pilares ranked among the national leaders in receiving stats.