Shelton attended Bryan Station High School in Lexington, Kentucky, where he played both running back and linebacker and twice earned state Class 4A Player of the Year honors.
Shelton was a First-team USA Today and Parade All-American and was also an All-State track performer who competed in the high hurdles, triple jump and 4x100 relay.
He was on Tom Lemming's Top 100 highschool recruits, ranked at #6 in the nation [1] Shelton started his collegiate career at Florida State University, where he played one season as a true freshman for the Seminoles.
Shelton attended the University of Louisville, and in his junior year (in 2004) he led the Cardinals in rushing (938 yards) and touchdowns (20).
Shelton was selected in the second round (54th overall) of the 2005 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers with a pick they obtained from the Seattle Seahawks.