SRU receiver Sheets signs with NFL’s Saints
SLIPPERY ROCK — The draft came and went. But Kyle Sheets’ dreams of an NFL career are very much alive.
The Slippery Rock University receiver — who graduated in December with a degree in safety management — signed with the New Orleans Saints as a non-drafted free agent Saturday night.
“I really thought he was gonna be drafted,” SRU head football coach Shawn Lutz said. “Kyle is so athletic for someone his size and at 6-foot-4, he can high-point the ball. He runs great routes. And every NFL team sent someone to see him during the season.
Henry Litwin was a great receiver for us, too, but Henry was 6-foot-0. Kyle is 6-4. That’s the difference.“
Litwin and Sheets are both from Conneaut High School. Litwin signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent following the 2022 draft, but was released shortly thereafter.
Sheets caught 76 passes for 1,186 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023. His 17 TD catches rack second in Rock single-season history, trailing only Litwin’s 21 TD receptions in 2019.
“Sheets admitted he didn’t expect to be selected during the seven-round NFL draft that took place Thursday through Saturday.
“I knew it was a long shot,” he said. “Only one Division II player was picked in the entire draft. The Bengals, Bears and Tampa Bay contacted me and showed interest, but nothing happened there.
“Of course, I would have loved to have heard my name called during the seventh round or something, but it’s actually better to not be picked at that point. I was able to choose the situation that was best for me.”
Lutz said “10 to 12 teams” had interest in signing Sheets. New Orleans selected one wide receiver — Pitt’s Bub Means in the fifth round — during the draft.
“I love the culture of New Orleans Saints football from the days of Drew Brees at quarterback and Sean Payton coaching there,” Sheets said. “The culture is very much the same. I’m just excited to have an opportunity. Now it’s up to me.
“I know I’m gonna have to make the roster through special teams, but getting a spot on that 53-man roster is my main goal.”
Sheets played special teams for SRU his freshman and sophomore year. He didn’t play that role much as a junior, but was on the kickoff return team last season.
He played quarterback during his high school year.
“We were actually lucky to get him,” Lutz said. “Kyle had a couple of preferred walk-on offers from Division I schools, including Penn State. He chose to come here and that move paid of for all of us.”
Sheets becomes the ninth SRU player since 2015 to sign with an NFL team. Four Rock players — Sheets, Litwin, Cinque Sweeting (XFL’s Vipers) and Jermaine Wynn Jr. (CFL’s Alouettes) — have signed pro football contracts since 2022.
“I want to thank the Saints for giving me a chance and I want to thank everyone here at Slippery Rock for such an incredible experience,” Sheets said in a prepared statement. “From our coaches to our faculty and staff and especially my teammates, I couldn’t have made a better choice than coming to The Rock.”
