Saluki football team expect big things out of Abdulqaadir

Abdulqaadir adds depth and much more to Salukis

SIU football team expects big things out of new running back

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The Saluki football team was looking for more depth in their ground attack, but they found more than just running ability in Muhammad Abdulqaadir.

A common assumption would lead some to believe that a new athlete at SIU is just looking for a good time and an easy schedule to make the time pass while they enjoy playing their particular sport.

But the new legs in town for the Salukis may raise some eyebrows, on and off the field.

Abdulqaadir loves football, but that is not the driving force in his life. He puts much more stock in his future outside of the game of football.

The junior running back also finds people and their ideas captivating.

“I like this University; it is liberating,” Abdulqaadir said. “It is a big melting pot made up of a bunch of individual people who make up the whole group. I have met people here that could be great leaders, people with great minds.”

Although he has a full scholarship to play football, his main focus will be graduating with a degree in management, specializing in entrepreneurship. His main goal is to start his own business and be his own boss.

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Plan B would be to work with family members that have their own business instead of working for people he doesn’t know.

Abdulqaadir was born and raised in St. Louis. He played football for Eureka High School, where he was selected as an All-State halfback three years in a row. His senior year, he was selected to the All-Metro team in the St. Louis area.

Growing up, his football hero was Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown. Abdulqaadir wears No. 32 in honor of Brown.

“He was the badest man to ever touch a football,” Abdulqaadir said.

After graduating from high school, Abdulqaadir played football at Coffeyville Junior College in Kansas. His freshman year, he broke Ron Springs’ single game rushing record with 381 yards rushing on only 22 carries.

In the fall of 2001, Abdulqaadir sustained a season ending knee injury. He had surgery last November on his lateral collateral ligament.

Abdulqaadir had always wanted to play Division I football and had offers from Washington State University, the University of New Mexico and the University of Illinois. Following the injury, the Division I schools shied away from him.

Visiting other schools ended once Abdulqaadir arrived at SIU. He was contacted last December and liked the University.

He wanted to play for a school with a larger enrollment and SIU fit his desires. The Salukis wanted to bring a new style of running to complement its offense and to make opponents’ defenses adjust to their benefit.

Abdulqaadir is still rehabilitating his knee, but he feels it is about 90 percent back to normal. He believes the knee will be close to 100 percent by the first game of the season.

“Abdulqaadir will bring good things to the team,” said freshman linebacker Thomas Laing.

Senior fullback Curtis Jones said Abdulqaadir will bring a positive attitude to the Saluki football squad.

“He is a great athlete and will be tough to tackle,” Jones said.

Even though playing football is plan C in Abdulqaadir’s life, he still loves the game and may find spare time in the future to try out for a professional team or league. European leagues and indoor football are also not out of the question.

Abdulqaadir said SIU football head coach Jerry Kill is trustworthy.

“I compare the football team to an army,” Abdulqaadir said. “Some people have higher rank, and some people have lower rank, but everyone has a job. Coach Kill does a great job of teaching people which job is theirs.”

August is approaching fast, and Abdulqaadir is looking forward to a good first season with the Salukis.

He has two years of eligibility with SIU and hopes to add depth and variety to the team’s offense.

“We need the town and fans’ support this season,” Abdulqaadir said. “We represent SIU and Carbondale. We need SIU and Carbondale to support us.”

Reporter Jack Piatt can be reached at [email protected]