The New York Jets have signed LB Vernon Gholston, the sixth overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Gholston (6-3/264/Ohio State/Detroit, MI), recorded 14 sacks in 2007 to set the Ohio State single-season record, while his 22.5 career sacks rank fifth in school history. He totaled 87 tackles, 30.5 tackles-for-loss, one interception and one fumble recovery in 34 games. Gholston was an All-American choice by The Associated Press and was named 2007 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches.

The New York Jets signed free agents WR Rudy Burgess, LB Jerry Mackey and waived P Joe Smith. The announcements were made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Rudy Burgess, (5-10, 186/Arizona State/Edwards, CA), originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on April 29, and was waived on July 28. A four-year performer who started 25-of-45 career games, he saw action at wide receiver, running back, defensive back, punt returner and kickoff returner. Burgess accumulated 4,379 career all-purpose yards with 19 total touchdowns on 446 total attempts. He totaled 229 carries for 1,093 yards and six touchdowns, 125 receptions for 1,536 yards and 12 touchdowns, 68 kickoff returns for 1,517 yards and one touchdown and 31 punt returns for 233 yards.

Jerry Mackey (6-1, 233/Syracuse/Freeport, NY) has served several stints with the Jets. Most recently, he was signed to a reserve/future contract on Dec. 31, and was waived April 25. He originally joined the Jets as a rookie free agent on Aug. 4, 2007. Mackey played four years with the Orangemen, recording 202 tackles (106 solo), three sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery. He earned All-Nassau County and All-Long Island honors as a high school senior and is a great nephew of NFL Hall of Famer John Mackey.

Joe Smith (6-2, 195/Central Washington/Enumclaw, WA), signed with the Jets on June 10, 2008. A Division II All-America, he finished his senior season (2003) with a 44.2-yard average and served as the national leader every week of the NCAA’s statistical report. Smith spent the last three years with the Yakima Mavericks of the Evergreen Football Semi-Pro League. He averaged 42.8 yards per punt and was named the league special teams MVP in 2007.

The New York Jets have signed free agent LB Brandon Renkart and free agent DB Ron Girault, released DB Andre Woolfolk, and waived DB Darnell Bing. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Renkart (6-2/236/Rutgers/Piscataway, NJ), recorded six sacks over the past two seasons, along with 18 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 10 pressures for Rutgers. In his junior season, first as a linebacker, he ranked sixth on the team with 54 tackles (25 solo), 3.5 sacks, 11.5 stops for losses and two pressures in 13 starts. Renkart also excelled in the classroom, where he was a finalist for the prestigious Draddy Trophy, the academic version of the Heisman Trophy.

Girault (5-10/204/Rutgers/Montvale, NJ)), was a four-year starter at Rutgers. In 45 games (40 starts), he recorded 271 tackles (160 solo), 1.5 sacks (for -11 yards), nine tackles for loss, 10 interceptions for 204 yards, seven passes defended, four forced fumbles, four fumbles recovered and two blocked kicks on special teams. Girault originally signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on May 3, but was waived on July 27.

Woolfolk (6-2, 197, Oklahoma), who was originally selected in the first round (28th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, joined the Jets after being out of football in 2007. In four seasons with Tennessee, Woolfolk played in 39 games and made 11 starts. He totaled 94 tackles, three interceptions, 18 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Bing (6-2, 230, USC) was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round (101st overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft and spent the entire 2006 season on Injured Reserve. He was waived by the Raiders on July 25 and claimed by the San Francisco 49ers July 26. He spent the entire 2007 season on the 49ers practice squad. In 37 career collegiate games (35 starts), he recorded 182 tackles (120 solos), one sack and eight interceptions. An All-American first-team selection by The Associated Press as a senior, he originally signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 15.