The New York Jets have reached agreement with QB Mark Sanchez, the fifth overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Sanchez (6-2/227/Southern California/Mission Viejo, CA), in 27 games at the University of Southern California, completed 313-of-487 passes (64.3 percent) for 3,965 yards, 41 touchdowns (sixth in USC history) and 16 interceptions, going 14-2 as a starter.

In 2008, Sanchez started all 13 games and completed 241-of-366 passes (65.5 percent) for 3,207 yards (led Pac-10), 34 touchdowns (second-best in USC history) and 10 interceptions for a 164.64 passing efficiency rating (sixth in the nation), earning All Pac-10 first team honors. He was also a finalist for the Manning Award and a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award and Maxwell Award as well as an honorable mention All-American byPro Football Weekly and Sports Illustrated.

The New York Jets have announced the signing of free agent DT Anthony Harris (Western New Mexico/Rollins Fork, MS/6-3/287) and undrafted free agent TE Jack Simmons (Minnesota/Libertyville, IL/6-4/246). The announcements were made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Harris, a defensive lineman with long-snapping experience, signed with Carolina before the 2008 season but was waived before training camp. He last played for the Rock River (IL) Raptors of the CIFL indoor league. In 13 games in 2008, he logged 25 tackles (eight for loss) and a safety, adding seven hurries, 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. As a senior at Western New Mexico University in 2004, he had 41 tackles, including 8.5 for loss (33 yards), and 5.5 sacks.

Simmons, a three-year starter at Minnesota who appeared in 41 games, finished his collegiate career with 73 receptions for 762 yards and three touchdowns. In 2008, he caught 34 passes for 331 yards with two touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media and honorable mention from the coaches, while also being selected as an Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

The New York Jets have released TE Chris Baker. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Baker (St. Albans, NY/Michigan State), originally a third-round draft pick (88^th overall) for the Jets in 2002, played in 99 games, starting 50, in seven seasons with the team. He logged 145 career receptions for 1,505 yards (10.4 yards per reception) and 12 touchdowns. Baker started 13 games in 2008, catching 21 passes for 194 yards.

The New York Jets have placed DB Artrell Hawkins on the Reserve/Retired List.

Hawkins (5-10/195/Cincinnati/Johnstown, PA), in his nine-year career, appeared in 122 games and recorded 482 tackles (415 solo), 11 interceptions, 70 passes defensed and six fumble recoveries. He was originally selected in the second round (43rd overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. After six seasons with the Bengals, he had stints with both the Carolina Panthers (2004) and the New England Patriots (2005-06). He had signed as a free agent with the Jets, Feb.19, 2008.

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.