Allen Park, MI -- (Sports Network) - The Detroit Lions on Thursday signed offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus to a five-year contract. Per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not released.

Cherilus was selected in the first round (17th overall) in this year's NFL Draft from Boston College, where he started a school record 51 consecutive games.

A native of Haiti, Cherilus grew up in Massachusetts and was the anchor of the Eagles' offensive line throughout his college tenure. He is expected to vie for playing time at right tackle for the Lions.