UCLA’s Aikman Signs With Cowboys : Agent Says Quarterback Will Become Highest-Paid Rookie in NFL History

UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman signed today with the Dallas Cowboys, a deal his agent has maintained will make Aikman the highest-paid rookie in NFL history.

The Cowboys, who own the No. 1 pick in Sunday’s NFL draft and will use it to select Aikman, ended weeks of speculation and trade rumors with the announcement at their Valley Ranch headquarters.

“We have felt for quite some time--at least as long as I’ve been a Cowboy as a matter of fact--that Troy Aikman is the No. 1 football player today in the United States coming out of college,” Cowboys owner and President Jerry Jones said in making the announcement.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but Aikman’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, has maintained that it will surpass the 6-year, $8.2-million deal quarterback Vinny Testaverde signed with Tampa Bay as the No. 1 pick in 1987.

“Anytime a first overall pick comes through as a quarterback, it will be a breakthrough deal,” Steinberg said.

“I made no secrets about the fact that I would love to play for the Dallas Cowboys as early as last year,” Aikman said. “I think it’s one of the premier organizations in the NFL.”

Earlier, he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: “There were a lot of rumors going around about trades or them taking someone else, and I said I could be happy playing anywhere.

“But in the back of my mind, all along, I knew I wanted to play in Dallas.”

Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson praised Steinberg and Mike McCoy, who represented the Cowboys in negotiations, for the speed with which the deal was consummated.

The Cowboys have the No. 1 pick in the draft by virtue of their NFL-worst 3-13 record last season.

NFL scouts tout Aikman’s good size (6-2 1/2, 218 pounds), mobility and a quick release that makes him difficult to sack.

Aikman has a strong arm but also displays a nice touch on his short- and intermediate-range passes. He scored a 29 out of 50 on the Wonderlic intelligence exam given at the Indianapolis combine, which is considered above average.

Aikman transferred to UCLA in 1986 after breaking his leg as a sophomore starter at Oklahoma. As a two-year starter at UCLA, he passed for 5,298 yards and 42 touchdowns, completing 65% of his passes. The Bruins were 20-4 in Aikman’s two years.