Kelly Lyell

kellylyell@coloradoan.com

Former CSU receiver Rashard Higgins formally signed his contract with the Cleveland Browns, the NFL team announced Friday during a three-day rookie minicamp.

Higgins signed a four-year deal worth $2.52 million, including a $184,385 signing bonus, according to Spotrac.com. His signing bonus is guaranteed. He’ll earn the NFL rookie minimum of $450,000 for 2016. The minimum salary is set by the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with its players association.

Higgins was selected by the Browns in the fifth round of the NFL draft two weeks ago.

COMMENCEMENT: NFL player Gillmore graduating from Colorado State

Higgins was one of six draft picks to sign with the Browns on Friday. Receivers Corey Coleman, a first-round pick out of Baylor, and Jordan Payton, also a fifth-round selection from UCLA, both signed as did offensive lineman Spencer Drango from Baylor, defensive back Trey Caldwell from Louisiana-Monroe and linebacker Scooby Wright III from Arizona.

Higgins is wearing No. 81 with the Browns, the team announced Thursday. He wore No. 82 at CSU.

All 14 of the Browns draft picks, as well as 11 undrafted free agents, are participating in the mini-camp that began Thursday and ends Saturday at the Browns headquarters in Berea, Ohio.

DEPARTURE: Receiver Deionte Gaines leaving Colorado State

Higgins rewrote Colorado State University’s receiving records in his three seasons with the Rams. He was a consensus All-American and one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s outstanding receiver in 2014 after leading the nation in receiving yards (1,750) and touchdowns (17) while catching a school-record 96 passes.

Higgins, 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, finished his CSU career with 239 receptions for 3,649 yards and 31 touchdowns, all school records. He skipped his senior season next fall to turn pro early.

Follow reporter Kelly Lyell at twitter.com/KellyLyell and facebook.com/KellyLyell.news.

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