Former Gaffney High and Wofford star Andy Strickland signed as a free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday. Former Gaffney High and Wofford standout Andy Strickland had said he wanted a chance to prove he possessed the skills to play in the NFL.

He'll get that chance now after the Jacksonville Jaguars announced on Wednesday they have signed Strickland as a free agent.

The Jags had expressed interest in Strickland prior to April's draft.

Strickland and former Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman had an individual workout with the Jaguars on Wednesday.

"They told me to get a shower and go to the general manager's office," Strickland said.

That's when he was informed he was a member of the Jaguars.

"It's like a dream come true," Strickland said.

Strickland said it finally hit him that he's in the NFL when he lined up with longtime receiver Torry Holt at Thursday's Organized Team Activities (OTAs).

The Jags will begin preseason camp on Aug. 1.

"We're just extremely proud as parents," said Andy's father and Gaffney High football coach Phil Strickland.

"Now, he has to go and compete," Phil said.

That's exactly what Andy did at Wofford, where he led the Terriers in receiving each of the last three seasons and earned second team All-Conference honors in 2008.

Last season, Strickland started all twelve games for Wofford and led the team with 656 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

He added 13 carries for 217 yards and two touchdowns and also had nine punt returns for 95 yards. The 656 receiving yards were the most by a Terrier since the 1984 season, while the seven touchdowns were the most by a receiver since the 1973 season. In his career, he had 84 catches for 1,544 yards and 15 touchdowns.

He is fifth all-time in receiving yards, seventh in career receptions and third in career receiving touchdowns.

He was also named to the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll three times. Strickland is the first Terrier to sign with an NFL team since Jimmy Miner signed with the St. Louis Rams in 2004.