Nate Jackson's professional football career was extended Monday when the former Menlo College All-American signed with the Cleveland Browns.

Jackson, who will be inducted into the Oaks Athletics Hall of Fame in October, was released by the Denver Broncos following last season.

Jackson (6-3, 235) spent the past six seasons with the Broncos, catching 11 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown last year. He has caught 27 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns in his NFL career.

Jackson was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers in 2002 and spent a season on the team's practice squad before being traded to Denver prior to the 2003 season.

Jackson caught 261 passes for 3,976 yards and 43 touchdowns in his Oaks' career. He was a first team All-American in his last two years after leading the NCAA Division III in receptions per game and yards per game.

The Browns now have five tight ends on their 80-man roster. Each NFL team must cut its roster to 75 players by Sept. 1 and to 53 players by Sept. 5, which is the number it can carry throughout the regular season.

If Jackson does not make the Browns final roster he will have the option of playing for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the newly formed United Football League. The Locomotives secured the UFL rights to Jackson in the league's inaugural Season Draft in June.

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