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Khalid Abdullah Signs Pro Contract with New York Giants
5/14/2017 11:54:00 AM | Football
HARRISONBURG, Va. – Former James Madison All-American running back Khalid Abdullah has signed with the New York Giants of the National Football League following a rookie camp tryout.
Abdullah becomes the third member of JMU's 2016 national championship team to sign a pro contract, joining offensive lineman Mitchell Kirsch (Chicago Bears) and cornerback Taylor Reynolds (cornerback).
The Newport News, Va., native was named an All-American as a senior by the AFCA, HERO Sports, STATS and the Associated Press after leading the country with 1,809 rushing yards, 22 rushing touchdowns and 25 total touchdowns. He was additionally named American Sports Network FCS Player of the Year and finished eighth in the voting for the STATS Walter Payton Award.
Abdullah set JMU single-season records for rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, scoring (150) and total touchdowns (25) while ranking second in all-purpose yards (1,992) and rush attempts (298). He scored two touchdowns and rushed for over 100 yards in the national title game to be named the game's Most Outstanding Player.
For his career, he set JMU records for rushing touchdowns (41), total touchdowns (45) and scoring (270). He ranks second all-time at JMU in both rushing yards (3,678) and rush attempts (673) and fourth in all-purpose yards (4,077). Abdullah produced 15 100-yard rushing games in his career, including 11 as a senior.
The Dukes have a long history of players in the NFL, including five-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Charles Haley. Other former Dukes to win Super Bowls include Gary Clark (two) and D.J. Bryant (one).
Dukes Currently in the NFL by Team
Atlanta Falcons – Taylor Reynolds (CB)
Carolina Panthers – Dean Marlowe (S)
Chicago Bears – Daniel Brown (TE), Mitchell Kirsch (OL)
Green Bay Packers – Derek Hart (LS)
Jacksonville Jaguars – Earl Watford (OL), Josh Wells (OL)
New York Giants – Khalid Abdullah (RB)
Philadelphia Eagles – John DeFilippo (QB Coach)
Pittsburgh Steelers – Arthur Moats (LB)
Dukes Invited to Rookie Tryout Camps
Rashard Davis – Chicago Bears & New York Jets
Gage Steele – New Orleans Saints
Abdullah becomes the third member of JMU's 2016 national championship team to sign a pro contract, joining offensive lineman Mitchell Kirsch (Chicago Bears) and cornerback Taylor Reynolds (cornerback).
The Newport News, Va., native was named an All-American as a senior by the AFCA, HERO Sports, STATS and the Associated Press after leading the country with 1,809 rushing yards, 22 rushing touchdowns and 25 total touchdowns. He was additionally named American Sports Network FCS Player of the Year and finished eighth in the voting for the STATS Walter Payton Award.
Abdullah set JMU single-season records for rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, scoring (150) and total touchdowns (25) while ranking second in all-purpose yards (1,992) and rush attempts (298). He scored two touchdowns and rushed for over 100 yards in the national title game to be named the game's Most Outstanding Player.
For his career, he set JMU records for rushing touchdowns (41), total touchdowns (45) and scoring (270). He ranks second all-time at JMU in both rushing yards (3,678) and rush attempts (673) and fourth in all-purpose yards (4,077). Abdullah produced 15 100-yard rushing games in his career, including 11 as a senior.
The Dukes have a long history of players in the NFL, including five-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Charles Haley. Other former Dukes to win Super Bowls include Gary Clark (two) and D.J. Bryant (one).
Dukes Currently in the NFL by Team
Atlanta Falcons – Taylor Reynolds (CB)
Carolina Panthers – Dean Marlowe (S)
Chicago Bears – Daniel Brown (TE), Mitchell Kirsch (OL)
Green Bay Packers – Derek Hart (LS)
Jacksonville Jaguars – Earl Watford (OL), Josh Wells (OL)
New York Giants – Khalid Abdullah (RB)
Philadelphia Eagles – John DeFilippo (QB Coach)
Pittsburgh Steelers – Arthur Moats (LB)
Dukes Invited to Rookie Tryout Camps
Rashard Davis – Chicago Bears & New York Jets
Gage Steele – New Orleans Saints
Players Mentioned
RB
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WR
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OL
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CB
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LB
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