Ex-NIU receiver Sheldon joins Rush

The Chicago Rush added more depth to its wide receiving corps Wednesday by signing former NIU standout Dan Sheldon to a three-year contract.

A Burlington Central graduate, Sheldon (5-10, 185 pounds) was the Daily Herald All-Area co-captain for the Fox Valley and was named to several all-state teams after a 2000 senior season in which he rushed for 2,123 yards and 37 touchdowns, and led the state in scoring with 274 points.

"Dan is a guy who we think can come in and give us depth at the wide receiver position," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "He is extremely quick and has proven to have a great ability to return kicks, which is very appealing to us."

Sheldon, an Elgin resident, continued his successful career at Northern Illinois University (2001-2004), where he moved to wide receiver and caught 94 passes for 1,986 yards and 18 touchdowns during his four seasons in DeKalb. As a junior in 2003, when he caught the game-winning touchdown passes for NIU in victories over No. 15 Maryland and No. 21 Alabama.

In addition, he became one of the most dangerous punt returners in the country, leading the nation in punt return average as a sophomore in 2002, with an average of 22.7 yards per return.

Since leaving DeKalb, Sheldon has tried out with the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers.

After spending 2005 on the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad, he was signed as a free agent by the Colts in 2006 and played three preseason games before Indianapolis released him. After working out with Tampa Bay and Green Bay, Sheldon was signed to the Bears practice squad for a week.