Start spreading the news. Former Sacramento State quarterback Ricky Ray is back in the NFL after signing a four-year contract with the New York Jets on Friday.

The 24-year-old Ray spent the last two years with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He led Edmonton to a Grey Cup Championship last season and was voted the league’s MVP.

“The Eskimo players and coaches take pride in helping Ricky fulfill his dream of playing in the NFL,” Eskimos president and CEO Hugh Campbell said. “Ricky Ray is a tremendous young man with a bright future and we wish him great success.”

Ray completed 348-of-515 passing attempts for 4,640 yards and 35 touchdowns last season. His 67.6 completion percentage led the CFL.

Ray’s agent, Ken Staninger, would not disclose financial terms of the contract, but said Ray was considering offers from the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. Ray was entering an option year of his contract with Edmonton and had until last Sunday to sign with an NFL team.

“Miami showed a lot of interest until they worked out a trade (with the Philadelphia Eagles) for A.J. Feeley,” Staninger said. “Arizona came down to the wire.”

Ray is expected to compete with Brooks Bollinger for the Jets’ backup quarterback position, behind starter Chad Pennington.

“The Jets were very aggressive,” Staninger said. “He will be given an opportunity to compete for a backup job and that is what we were looking for. It’s a good fit for both sides.”

“Ricky Ray has started 37 professional football games and led his team to a CFL Championship,” Jets General Manager Terry Bradway said.

“He brings youth and adds depth to our quarterback position.”

A native of Redding, Calif., Ray left Sac State in 2001 as one of the top passers in school history, ranking first all-time in completion percentage (.619), third in touchdowns (33) and fourth in yards (4,622) and completions (347).