SLIPPERY ROCK — The wait is over for Wes Hills.

Eleven days after being passed over in the NFL draft, the Slippery Rock University senior running back is signing a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

“This came out of nowhere,” Hills said. “I'm not even sure how this happened. They called me out of the blue. I talked to my agent and we worked it out.

“A scout from the Cardinals talked to me briefly at the (University of) Delaware pro day a while back. I hadn't heard from them since. I was there to support my buddies.”

Hills transferred from Delaware to SRU to use his final year of football eligibility. He wound up breaking The Rock's single-season rushing record by gaining 1,714 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 7.0 yards per carry.

He broke that record despite missing the bulk of three games early in the season with a shoulder injury.

Hills had worked out for the Seattle Seahawks a few days ago and was scheduled to visit the Atlanta Falcons this weekend before the Cardinals contacted him.

“I am absolutely thrilled for him,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “All he needs is for someone to give him an opportunity.

“I know a lot of players who accept free agent tryouts without a realistic chance of making it. Wes has a legitimate chance. Once he demonstrates his running ability, how he can run over and past people, catch the ball out of the backfield, block ... He can do a lot to help an NFL team.”

Hills leaves Thursday morning for Arizona to participate in the Cardinals' rookie mini-camp. The team's organized team activities (OTAs) are scheduled for May 20-22, May 29-31 and June 3-6 before training camp begins in July.

“I've taken advantage of opportunities before,” Hills said. “I got the opportunity to come to Slippery Rock and we did well. I got invited to play in the NFLPA (all-star) game and was named MVP. I played in the Senior Bowl and had the game's longest run (21 yards) before I got hurt.

“This is another opportunity I plan to take advantage of. All I want to do is prove myself, compete for a spot and make their 55-man roster.”

Hills added that he's prepared to play on special teams.

“I did a lot of that at Delaware,” he said. “I've blocked kicks. I've returned kicks. Whatever they need me to do, I'll do.”

Hills was one of four Division II running backs named to the AP All-America team last season. He helped SRU post an 11-3 record and reach the Division II quarterfinals.

He rushed for over 150 yards in all three of The Rock's playoff games, including 154 against a Notre Dame (Ohio) team that ranked No. 2 in the nation in rushing defense, at 62 yards per game.

“This guy is an impressive athlete,” Lutz said. “When they see his size (6-foot-2, 218 pounds) and the way he runs ... He's a punisher.”

Hills becomes the seventh SRU football player in the last five years to be invited to an NFL camp, joining Seneca Valley graduate Brandon Fusco, Marcus Martin, Ian Park, Marcus Johnson, Cory Tucker and Titus Howard.