Steelers Sign First-Round Draft Pick Rashard Mendenhall
PITTSBURGH — The Steelers have reached an agreement with their first-round pick of the 2008 NFL Draft, running back Rashard Mendenhall, the team announced today. This year is the fourth consecutive season the Steelers have signed their number one draft pick in time for the start of training camp.
Mendenhall (5-10, 225), who played at Illinois, signed a five-year contract with the team. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Mendenhall was the first running back drafted by the Steelers in the first round in 19 seasons (Tim Worley, 1989).
Mendenhall rushed for 2,539 yards (6.5 avg.) and 22 touchdowns, and he caught 59 passes for 564 yards (9.6 avg.) and five scores in three seasons with the Fighting Illini. Mendenhall became the first Illinois player drafted by the Steelers since safety Bobby Dawson was selected in the 11th round of the 1988 NFL Draft.
Named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2007, Mendenhall was a Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award semifinalist. Last year, he set school records for rushing yards (1,681) and touchdowns (17).
All Steelers are scheduled to report for training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., on Sunday, July 27. The first scheduled practice is set for Monday, July 28.
Following is a list of the Steelers' first-round draft selections since 1987 and their signing dates:
Year         First-round Pick      Date Signed   Reporting Date
2008          Rashard Mendenhall  July 25            July 27
2007          Lawrence Timmons    July 23           July 23
2006          Santonio Holmes        July 28           July 28
2005          Heath Miller               July 31          July 31
2004          Ben Roethlisberger     Aug. 3           July 30
2003          Troy Polamalu           July 28          July 25
 2002         Kendall Simmons       July 25          July 24
2001          Casey Hampton         July 21         July 19
2000          Plaxico Burress          July 20         July 16
1999          Troy Edwards             July 22         July 29
1998          Alan Faneca               July 29         July 20
1997          Chad Scott                 July 15         July 14
1996          Jamain Stephens          July 17        July 15
1995          Mark Bruener              July 23        July 17
1994          Charles Johnson         July 21        July 15
1993          Deon Figures              July 20         July 16
1992          Leon Searcy               Aug. 3         July 17
1991          Huey Richardson         July 15         July 10
1990          Eric Green                 Sept. 8         July 18
1989          Tim Worley                Aug. 20        July 19
                  Tom Ricketts            July 19         July 19
1988           Aaron Jones              July 15          July 17
     1987            Rod Woodson           Oct. 28           July 26
