Speedy Shelton Looks To Make Mark in UFL

Wide receiver Travis Shelton Sr. is fraternizing with the enemy.

As an offensive skill player, his job is to outrun, outleap, and outcatch cornerbacks, but Shelton finds himself training with them this offseason. Currently in his home state of Florida, Shelton is working out with NFL veterans Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison, two players who have seven Pro-Bowl appearances combined.

The three have a regimen that entails weight training, agility exercises, and one-on-one drills. Shelton goes head-to-head with Madison and Surtain, both of whom, ironically, were drafted 44^th overall in the 1997 and 1998 NFL drafts, respectively. Shelton says that learning from two of the NFL’s best cornerbacks has only improved his game, both mentally and physically.

While Shelton is excited for the opportunity he has been given to work out with NFL veterans, he is even more excited for his new opportunities.

After being released by the Denver Broncos in 2009 after being signed by the team as an undrafted free agent the same year, Shelton took it upon himself to make the necessary adjustments in his life and career. 

On the recommendation of his former Temple University teammate and good friend Adam DiMichele, Shelton switched agents and joined Adam at the Chicago-based Kaufmann Sports Management Group. He cited the family-like atmosphere in addition to DiMichele’s suggestion as the reasons for the switch.

“Adam told me the agency was filled with guys who like to work for you,” Shelton said. “He said you genuinely get the feeling that they are working for you. They’re not just agents; you can talk with them as friends outside of business.”

KSMG principle Scott Rochelle echoes the perfect fit sentiment.

“We knew Travis was going to be a good fit for our agency almost immediately,” Rochelle said. “Not only was he an amazing athlete, but he possessed a great deal of humility and knew exactly what role he needed to play in order to overcome certain obstacles and make our partnership work. Furthermore, his close connection to Adam let us know that he was a man of character, which is something we seek when partnering with athletes.”

Recently, Shelton signed a contract with the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League, where he hopes to serve as their primary kick returner and compete for a starting role at wide receiver.

“Travis is entering his second season of professional football with a sense of focus and understanding that will ultimately benefit him in the end,” Rochelle said. “He knows exactly the type of opportunity the UFL provides him, and he is prepared to take advantage of everything that comes his way. At this point, I’m just really happy to be involved and continue to support him on this journey.”

Not only are Shelton and his agents excited about his opportunity this season, the Hartford coaching staff is ecstatic about the possibility of using Shelton’s speed all over the football field.

“[The coaches] want me to come in and be a returner and receiver,” said Shelton, who has run under 4.30 seconds in the 40-yard dash. “They feel very good that I can help the team, but I am just thankful for the opportunity I have been blessed with.”

At 5'11", 185 pounds, Shelton isn’t the biggest guy on the field, but has elite speed and quickness that helped him lead the nation with 31.1 yards per kick return in his senior season as an Owl during 2008.

But Shelton says speed is only part of the equation in being a top returner.

“You’ve got to have great vision and be patient with your blocks,” said Shelton, whose 196.7 all-purpose yards per game would have led the nation by nearly 30 yards in 2006 had he played in enough games to qualify. “You need the other 10 guys on the field and to work off what they’re doing to make big plays happen. It’s all about vision, patience and then explosion when you see the hole.”

After going undrafted out of Temple in 2009, Shelton signed a contract with the Broncos as a free agent, where he had the opportunity to play alongside his cousin, Andra Davis. Despite Shelton being only a rookie and Davis being a seven-year veteran, it was a great experience for Shelton.

“It was very good to be around him,” Shelton said. “It was good experience as family and just to hang out with him again.”

Shelton also has been able to learn the finer points of the return and receiving game from another cousin of his, NFL All-Pro Devin Hester.

“Devin and I talk regularly, he said. “Devin’s a great guy and humble, too. When I was in college, we would talk about returning and things like that. He has been great to me.”

Shelton aspires to mimic the success of Hester in the NFL, but realizes that first, he must produce in the UFL.

“I feel the NFL will come when it’s supposed to come,” he said. “When I was younger that’s all I thought about, but now I am just ready to work and do what I have to do to succeed in the UFL. That’s my only concern right now. I just feel blessed to be a part of the UFL.”