Nebraska Football: Why Ameer Abdullah is Huskers’ NFL Combine King
Former Nebraska football superstar Ameer Abdullah hasn’t quite busted through in the NFL yet, but he gave us all a reason to watch out for that day when he participated in the 2015 NFL Combine.
Related: Five Fastest Huskers in NFL Combine History
Abdullah checked in at 5-9 and 205 pounds, not even cracking the middle of the pack in height for the running backs that showed up. Didn’t matter.
He ran what many would call a pedestrian 4.6 40-yard dash putting him right smack dab at 15 out of 30 backs present.
It was time to show the world what he was capable of, what those at Nebraska knew he was capable of.
Abdullah leaped for 42.5 inches vertically, a combine-best among running backs. He put up 24 reps on the bench press, good for fourth place. His 130-inch broad jump attempt was another first place achievement. Three-cone drill? No. 1 clocking in at 6.79 seconds. Shuttle run? No. 1 with a 3.95-second effort.
He’d go on to be drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft with the 54th overall pick, his stock no doubt buoyed by his NFL Combine numbers, but let’s look beyond 2015.
Pro Football Reference‘s numbers go all the way back to 2000. How does Abdullah measure up over the past 17 years of Nebraska football combine results?
His 40-yard dash doesn’t do him any favors yet again as he comes in at No. 28, tied with strong safety Eric Johnson’s effort in 2000.
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There were plenty of linemen who outdid him on the bench press, but some of the names that didn’t might impress you: Rex Burkhead, Chris Kelsay, Scott Shanle, Lavonte David and Vincent Valentine. None of them did as well as Abdullah’s 24 repetitions.
Fabian Washington and Kenny Bell both chalked up 129-inch efforts in the broad jump. Abdullah marked 130 — the best of any Husker. His three-cone run gives him the No. 5 spot among 17 years worth of Nebraska Cornhuskers, his shuttle run places him at No. 3.
When it comes right down to it, yes there were faster Nebraska football players who’ve represented the Big Red alongside other NFL hopefuls. There have been stronger ones, too.
However, when it comes to overall performances, no one can beat the effort given by the Homewood, Ala. native.