Pittsburgh, PA (Best E Casino) - The Pittsburgh Steelers signed running back Rashard Mendenhall, their first selection in this year's NFL Draft, to a five- year contract Friday.

The 23rd overall selection rushed for 2,539 yards and 22 touchdowns in three seasons at Illinois. He also caught 59 passes for 564 yards and five touchdowns.

The 5-foot-10, 225-pounder, the first running back selected with the Steelers' first pick since 1989, was a 2008 Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award semifinalist in his junior season, setting school records with 1,681 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.