Bortles arrives in Jacksonville after 3rd pick in NFL draft

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Blake Bortles arrived in Jacksonville Friday after being drafted to the Jaguars as the third overall pick in Thursday's NFL Draft.

The Jaguars made the first quarterback selection of the draft, which began Thursday and continues until Saturday.

"With the 3rd overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Blake Bortles," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

The team held a press conference to introduce Bortles in Jacksonville on Friday. He was also given a tour of the Jaguars' facilities, met the owner Shad Kahn and became more acquainted with head coach Gus Bradley.

"I couldn't be more happy to be here. I'm so excited to have the opportunity to stay in Florida," Bortles said. "My family will definitely be at every game."

The Jaguars took Bortles over fellow signal callers Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater, as well as dynamic receiver Sammy Watkins and versatile defensive end Khalil Mack.

Bortles, who is the University of Central Florida's highest-ever draft pick, said he was excited to learn he was joining the Jaguars.

"Every time I met with coach Bradley and everybody else here, I left thinking 'That was awesome,'" Bortles said.

Jacksonville has long needed a quarterback since taking Byron Leftwich in 2003 and Blaine Gabbert in 2011. The 6-foot-5 Bortles completed 68 percent of his passes last season for 3,581 yards, with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Bortles said he'll head home to Oviedo to pack his bags, then return to Jacksonville to start workouts with his new teammates.

WFTV