ST. PAUL – University of Northwestern football player Cody Kielsa (Howard Lake, Minn./Rogers) became the fifth Eagles player to sign a professional contract, joining with the Wyoming Cavalry of the National Indoor Football League last week. Kielsa, who completed his senior season in 2013, will report to the Cavalry's home office in Casper, Wyo. this week to prepare for the team's first game of the 2014 season on Feb. 28.

Kielsa played in the All-American College All-Star Game in the Metrodome in Minneapolis in December before the former NFL stadium's recent demolition began. Kielsa, who received All-Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Second Team honors in 2012, was named the defensive player of that all-star game. The 2013 season saw Kielsa record 46 tackles to go with four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and six pass breakups. Also a contributor on special teams, Kielsa averaged 16.2 yards per return on kickoffs.

The Cavalry's 14-game spring schedule begins on Feb. 28. The Indoor Football League (IFL) is a nine-team league with two conferences. Wyoming, a member of the IFL's Intense Conference, plays its home games in the Casper Events Center on Mountain View Regional Hospital Field. Sam Durley, a former quarterback for UMAC-member school Eureka College, is also on the Cavalry's roster.

Other former Northwestern players to sign a professional contract include Vince Wagner (1977-1978, 1980), Sherman Augustus (1980), Beau Taylor (1999-2002) and Chad Rusinkovich (2010-2011).