Blake Bortles goes to Jacksonville Jaguars with third overall pick

Blake+Bortles+led+UCF+to+their+first-ever+BCS+bowl+win+last+season+with+a+52-42+win+over+Baylor+in+the+Fiesta+Bowl.

Ty Wright / Valencia Voice

Blake Bortles led UCF to their first-ever BCS bowl win last season with a 52-42 win over Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl.

Former UCF quarterback Blake Bortles now has a new home, and that new home is with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jaguars drafted Bortles with the third overall pick, making him the highest-drafted UCF Knight player ever, surpassing Daunte Culpepper who went No. 11 overall in 1999.

Bortles new home is just a little over two hours away from his hometown of Oviedo, Fla.

“To be able to stay in Florida is unbelievable,” said Bortles on ESPN following his selection. “I’m so excited I can’t wait.”

UCF fans know Bortles as the quarterback who lead the Knights to their first-ever BCS bowl victory with their 52-42 win over the Baylor Bears in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl back on New Year’s Day.

Bortles completed 65.7 percent of his passes last season, while throwing for 3,581 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also showed his versatility during his junior year with six rushing touchdowns.

The Oviedo native threw for 7,598 yards and 56 touchdowns during his three seasons under center at UCF.

Bortles was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Players of the Year as a junior and finished his college career with a 22-5 record as a starter.

He also owns the UCF record for longest pass completion with the 91-yard touchdown he threw against Akron this past season.

After he was drafted many of the other Orlando area sports franchises sent out Tweets congratulating Bortles, including the Magic, Solar Bears and Predators.

Jaguars rookie mini-camps start on May 16th, but there is no guarantee that Bortles will be there, as both sides still need to agree on a contract.