NORMAL, Ill. - Former Illinois State punter Bobby Kelsey is teammates once again with former Redbird running back Walter Mendenhall, as Kelsey signed an NFL free agent contract with Philadelphia Wednesday and joins Mendenhall on the Eagles' roster.
"This whole process has reminded me of the college recruiting process," said Kelsey. "I just had to be patient and wait for things to happen. I'm excited about the opportunity and I just need to stay focused. Everything has been taken care of, now it is up to me to do my part."
Kelsey will leave Monday to workout with the Eagles' special teams coaches.
Kelsey earned second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors after the 2008 season. Behind Kelsey's leg, Illinois State ranked No. 1 in the conference in net punting and No. 9 in the nation. Kelsey averaged 41.1 yards per punt, including a career-best 77-yard punt at Murray State. He pinned 15 punts inside the 20-yard line and belted seven punts for 50 yards or more.
Kelsey becomes the fifth former Redbird on an NFL roster, joining Laurént Robinson (St. Louis), Aveion Cason (Detroit), Tom Nelson (Cincinnati) and Mendenhall (Philadelphia).
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