Arizona Cardinals sign RB Keaontay Ingram, 2 other rookies

Rookie running back Keaontay Ingram, offensive lineman Lecitus Smith and linebacker Jesse Luketa are officially under contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals on Thursday announced four-year contracts for three of eight players in their 2022 draft class.

Ingram, a sixth-round pick from USC, first broke the news to Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Thursday.

“Overwhelming,” Ingram said. “Tried to keep from crying a little bit. Seeing your dreams come true right before your eyes. I mean, that’s something that us athletes been working for since we were little kids.”

He said becoming an NFL player has been a dream of his since he was five years old and showed up to career day at school dressed as a football player.

Ingram was the No. 201 overall pick, while Smith out of Virginia Tech was No. 215 and Luketa from Penn State was No. 256.

Ingram enters a position group with James Conner, Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward. He will compete for snaps behind Conner with the fellow young backs.

Smith played left guard in college but has experience at tackle, as well. Luketa played both off the ball and on the line at Penn State, giving the Cardinals options on where to play him.

The remaining unsigned draftees include tight end Trey McBride, pass rushers Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders, cornerback Christian Matthew and offensive lineman Marquise Hayes.

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