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Getting to know: Ameer Abdullah

Once it became clear that Braylon Heard would not be able to enroll for the January semester, the Husker staff turned their full attention to recruiting Abdullah to be the second running back for this class. After coming on strong as a senior, culminated by standout performances in two all-star games, he was also being pursued by the likes of Alabama, Auburn and USC.

NU was able to differentiate themselves from the rest of those traditional powers, and ended up adding a potential electrifying playmaker late in the process. Below is another in our series of "Getting to know you" features which we'll be running on all of the members of Nebraska's 2011 recruiting class.

Ameer Abdullah

Position: Running back

Homewood, Alabama

Current size: 5-foot-9 & ½, 177-pounds

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Rankings: After this season, Abdullah earned first-team all-conference, all-district, and 6A all-state (largest classification) honors. He was selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi and the Offense-Defense all-star games. Abdullah was a Rivals.com three-star, and he was rated the No. 9 recruit in the Alabama top 40, the No 17 athlete overall and fifth best "in space" by Rivals. He was also named the south region player of the year by the Birmingham News.

Recent statistics: As a junior, Abdullah had over 1,000 yards rushing and 200 yards receiving. As a senior, he rushed for 1,800 yards and 24 touchdowns, and had 33 pass receptions for 515 yards. Abdullah also had one punt return and three kickoff returns for touchdowns. In spot defensive duty, he totaled 21 tackles, one interceptionn and two pass deflections. In the Offense-Defense bowl, Abdullah had two interceptions, and in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic he scored the winning touchdown.

Other schools offering scholarships: By the time signing day rolled around, Abdullah had accumulated tenders from Auburn, Alabama, USC, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Texas Tech, North Carolina State, South Florida, Southern Miss, Vanderbilt, West Virginia, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Louisiana Tech, Louisville, Middle Tennessee State, UAB and Arkansas State.

Thoughts and opinions  

Who is your favorite football player of all-time?

"I'd probably have to say Barry Sanders just because of the way he can change directions so quickly. I've been compared to him some because I can change directions quickly too. I like to study his game."

What is the best football team you've ever seen?

"I haven't played in college or the NFL yet, so I'd have to say Hoover High (in Alabama). I've been on the varsity the last four years and we've never been able to beat them. They're always ranked in the top 5 in the country. They didn't win the state championship this year, but they've won nine in a row at one time.

"They've had past players like Chad Jackson, who's in the NFL now; Pat Miller, who's a defensive back at West Virginia; Ryan Pugh, who's the center at Auburn right now. They've had a lot of good players come out of there."

An up-close and personal look 

Did you ever have an embarrassing moment playing football?

"Yeah, probably the most embarrassing moment was when I was a freshman on the varsity and I was thrown in on defense. I was playing zone and everybody else was playing man to man. My receiver ran a slant and scored on a 65 yard touchdown. My coach chewed me out pretty good after that when I got back to the sideline."

What has been the most memorable moment on the football field so far in your career?

"We were down 21-0 to Spain Park this season, and I came back with five consecutive touchdowns to take it into overtime. We ended up losing that game, but I think that I had 21-229 and five touchdowns."

Do you have a pre-game ritual?

"Me and my friend crack jokes and just loosen up."

Thoughts on Nebraska 

What position will you be playing at Nebraska?

"Running back."

Are you expecting to redshirt your first year at Nebraska?

"I'm not sure. It depends on how much work I put in over the summer. I don't think so because they only have one returning running back, and they told both me and Aaron Green to be ready to step up."

What will you bring to Nebraska as far as a strong point?

"I guess with their move to an Oregon style offense, I'll bring speed to the offense. Last year they had Roy Helu who was more of a pro style West Coast running back, so I think that I'll bring more of a change of pace back. The Big Ten is not known for speed on offense like the Big 12 and SEC, so we'll probably have an advantage in that department."

What is the one thing you need to work on to play at the next level?

"Just overall body strength and more size to be able to block the defense. Those linebackers are going to be coming hard and strong every play and I need to be able to block them. Also, not taking any plays off."

How often do you work out and what is your routine?

"Pretty much every day. One day I'll lift weights, and the next day I'll run. I'll flip-flop them, and then at the end of the week I'll combine both."

Personal preferences 

What do you do in your spare time?

"Play video games and hang out with friends really. I play NCAA college football. Lately I've been playing a lot of Nebraska, but I usually rotate teams."

What food do you like the best?

"Chicken fingers at Zaxby's with honey mustard dipping sauce."

What is your favorite television show?

"Probably just ESPN. I don't watch too much television."

Do you have a favorite movie?

"Probably 'Hitch.' I just have a thing for Will Smith. He is a real good actor. Plus, 'The Pursuit of Happyness.' That's a real good story."

What's your favorite song or musical artist?

"I'd probably say that I'm a Lupe Fiasco fan. He has a song called 'Intruder' that I really like."

What person(s) dead or alive you would like to sit down and have dinner with?

"Probably Malcolm X and Abraham Lincoln. Mainly, I'd talk to Malcolm X about his word choices when he delivered speeches and I want to see how he is as a person. Without Abraham Lincoln and him freeing the slaves, things would be so different. I want to interact with someone of his caliber from that time period."

Do you have a nickname?

"According to news stations, I'm 'the deuce' or 'David Palmer Jr.' but that's not something I really go by."

What is something nobody knows about you?

"I come from a real, real large family with six sisters and five brothers. I'm the youngest. I probably have over 60 cousins. Both my mom's and dad's families are big. Most of our family lives down in Mobile, so we'll go down there in the summer. And we have other family out in California so we'll go out there and do that."

Do you have a major picked out yet?

"I'm leaning towards pre-dentistry or accounting. I haven't made up my mind yet. I'm trying to find another major besides biology to get me into dentistry school."

Have you met all of the academic requirements to enroll at Nebraska?

"Yes sir."

A look at the recruiting process 

What one thing was the determining factor in your picking Nebraska?

"Just the amount of trust I had in the people up there and the trust they had in me. After they found out Braylon Heard wasn't qualified, they stuck with me over guys like Herschel Sims and others. I really trust these guys."

Did the Nebraska coaches do anything unique in their recruiting?

"Yeah, really when I first talked to Tim Beck when he called me, if he didn't tell me he was a coach at the University of Nebraska I probably wouldn't known it. He wanted to know about my family, girlfriend, schoolwork, and other things. He didn't even bring up football until our second conversation. All of the other schools were all about visits whereas coach Beck connected with me on a personal level."

Is there a Nebraska coach that you feel especially close to?

"Probably coach Beck, and even though he's not a coach, Scott. Coach Beck calls him 'Scotty too hotty.' And Wince Morris, too. I talked a lot to them when on I was on my (official) visit up there."

What was your favorite moment during the recruiting process?

"Probably when I visited Auburn and they played Georgia. I saw A.J. Green in action and he caught 211 (yards) on them. That game and seeing him play was the highlight for me."

What was the worst moment during the recruiting process?

"Probably when I visited Tennessee. The guys down there… I really didn't want to surround myself with."

Did you make friends with any current players at Nebraska or incoming freshmen during the process? Who and what did you like about him/them?

"Yeah, I made pretty good friends with P.J. Smith on my visit there, and me and Aaron Green talk about every day. We'll probably room together. Daniel Davie texts me pretty much every day on facebook and we've become friends."

What was the best feature of your official visit to Nebraska?

"Probably the tour of the facilities. When I saw the weight room, I was taken aback. And when I saw the locker room, I couldn't believe my eyes. Also, eating dinner with coach (Bo) Pelini. He's a really funny guy!"

What did you think of Nebraska's season/bowl loss?

"Before this year, they didn't show too much Big 12 games in SEC country, so I didn't see them. They started this season real strong, but after they lost to Texas it was demoralizing for them. Then, after they had beaten Washington badly earlier in their season, they had to play them in a bowl game and they weren't very motivated."

What are your thoughts about Nebraska joining the Big Ten?

"I think it's a real good move because it's bringing more money into their school and programs. Every conference has their strong point. The Big Ten is a good running conference that plays physical football. With Nebraska being on the Big Ten Network, a lot more of the public should get to see them and it may help bring in more good recruits too."

What school would you have chosen if you hadn't decided in favor of Nebraska?

"Probably Auburn. I live in Alabama where you only root for one of two teams: Alabama or Auburn. I've been an Auburn fan since I was six years old. I just felt that Nebraska was the place God wanted me to go."

The future and goals for Nebraska and beyond 

What number would you like to wear at Nebraska?

"I want No. 2 but I hear rumors someone already has it. I'm going to call coach Beck tonight to see if I can reserve No. 2."

What is your goal for this year?

"Just get stronger and faster, and contribute on the field any way possible. In the kicking game, as a running back, or a slot receiver. Become a better person also."

Are you planning to attend the Huskers' Red-White spring game?

"I was until had we had a senior meeting and I found out we had prom the same day. So I'll go to my prom instead and try to visit for an earlier date."

Would you like to say anything to the Nebraska fans?

"Go Big Red!"

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