CHICAGO – The Jaguars stayed close to home with their first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Defensive back Jalen Ramsey of Florida State University was chosen No. 5 by the Jaguars on Thursday night in Chicago. He'll be introduced by the team at a news conference at 4 p.m. Friday at EverBank Field.
"I know the organization is on the rise and hopefully I can help and get back to the top," Ramsey said. "I’m going to come in, I’m going to work hard, I’m going to try and do everything they ask of me as best as I can and give them all the effort in the world that I have in my body.”
UNCUT: Jalen Ramsey draft interview in Chicago
When Dallas selected Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth pick, leaving Ramsey on the board, the Jaguars' choice became pretty clear.
"Right after Dallas’ pick went in, no more than a minute later, my phone started ringing," Ramsey said. "I saw 904 immediately. I picked up the phone so quick, I didn’t even let it get through the first ring. I’m just excited to come to Jacksonville, team back up with (former FSU teammates) Telvin (Smith) and Rashad (Greene). Last time I teamed up with them we got a national championship."
WATCH: Jags make call to Ramsey from War Room
Later, Ramsey tweeted: "This is what it's all about right here. Can't wait to get to work in the Black, Bold & Teal."
Fans erupted at the draft party inside EverBank Field when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the pick.
WATCH: Fans react to Jaguars' first-round pick
Jaguars General Manager Dave Caldwell said the team didn't think Ramsey would fall to No. 5.
"(With his) his rare athleticism, speed, combined with size and range, he is a very good competitor, and he fits our style of play. It was an easy decision," Caldwell said.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry tweeted: "Big night for The 904. Gators fans that are @Jaguars fans are Noles fans tonight."
In Ramsey, 21, the Jaguars address their need for playmakers in the secondary. He can play three positions (cornerback, slot corner, or free safety). He has the length and size (6-1 and 209 pounds) that Jaguars coach Gus Bradley prefers in his defensive backs.
UNCUT: Caldwell, Bradley discuss first-round pick Jalen Ramsey
"Overall just a fantastic player, and we feel fortunate that he fell to us," Bradley said after the Jaguars made their pick. "When he was there for us, it was a no-brainer."
Ramsey started all 41 games of his three-year career with the Seminoles, earning All-America honors each season. For his collegiate career, the native of Smyrna, Tennessee, combined for 180 tackles (119 solo), 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Ramsey, a member of Florida State’s 2014 BCS National Championship team, registered 52 tackles (37 solo), 10 passes defended, 3.5 sacks and one fumble recovery as a junior in 2015.
"I've coached some very good players, but he's special with all of his athleticism and his traits that he has," Bradley said.
Ramsey became the fourth consecutive underclassmen selected by Caldwell, joining defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (Florida) in 2015, quarterback Blake Bortles (Central Florida) in 2014 and tackle Luke Joeckel (Texas A&M) in 2013. Ramsey is the 21st player from a Florida school to be chosen by Jacksonville, as well as sixth-ever Seminoles player to be drafted by the Jaguars.
FSU coach Jimbo Fisher released a statement Thursday night after Ramsey was drafted:
"I'm extremely proud of Jalen and very excited for he and his family. He earned every bit of this with his work ethic and his passion for the game. He will be a tremendous player for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and I'm looking forward to watching him on Sundays for years to come. Jalen is a true Seminole, and he will continue to be a great ambassador for our program and for Florida State."
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QB Jared Goff goes No. 1
As expected, the L.A. Rams chose a quarterback with the No. 1 pick Thursday.
California's Jared Goff was the first player to the podium in Chicago.
Goff started every game during his three seasons at California and set school records with 977 completions, 12,220 yards passing and 96 touchdown passes. The son of former Major League Baseball catcher Jerry Goff passed for 4,719 yards and 43 touchdowns during his final season with the Bears.
"I'm ready to go. I'm ready to make a difference," Goff told The NFL Network.
Two major trades in the last few weeks reshaped the first two picks in the draft. Tennessee sent the No. 1 overall choice to the Rams for a bunch of draft picks, and then Cleveland sent the second overall pick to the Eagles for a large number of draft picks as well.
The Eagles took North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz with the No. 2 pick.
Wentz led the Bison to their fifth consecutive FCS championship in January. He passed for 1,651 yards and 17 touchdowns during his senior year that was shortened by a broken right wrist.
Philadelphia acquired the No. 2 selection in a trade with Cleveland last Wednesday. It's the first opening-round quarterback for the Eagles since they grabbed Donovan McNabb with the No. 2 pick in the 1999 draft.
After the QBs got their hats and exchanged pleasantries with Goodell, a pair of Ohio State stars made the stroll to the podium. San Diego grabbed defensive end Joey Bosa at No. 3 with the first real wild card of the night, and Dallas selected running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth pick.
Elliott, who rushed for 1,878 yards last season, made quite a fashion statement when he showed off his midsection while walking the red carpet before the draft. But his dress shirt under his blue suit was in place by the time he was drafted by the Cowboys.
Baltimore selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley with the sixth pick.
The Browns, who traded the No. 2 pick to the Eagles last week, moved down again in the first major deal of the night, swapping selections with Tennessee. Then Chicago acquired the No. 9 pick in a trade with Tampa Bay, prompting chants of "Let's go Bears! Let's go Bears!"
The Bears took Georgia Bulldogs outside linebacker Leonard Floyd
Cornerback Eli Apple went the New York Giants at No. 10, putting three Buckeyes in the top 10 for the first time in school history.
The Buccaneers opted for cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III with the 11th pick. Hargreaves grew up in the Tampa area and played at Florida.
As the draft barreled toward the middle of the first round, Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and UCLA linebacker Myles Jack kept tumbling. A video posted to Tunsil's Twitter account Thursday night showed someone apparently smoking marijuana out of a bong-gas mask contraption.
Tunsil's excruciating wait finally ended when the Miami Dolphins took him with the 13th pick.
There is concern within the league about the health of one of Jack's knees.
The Atlanta Falcons took Florida SS Keanu Neal at No. 17, and Miami CB Artie Burns went No. 25 to the Steelers.