Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ameer Abdullah

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ameer Abdullah made an impact.

Ameer Abdullah is a professional American football running back currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL. Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, he previously played college football at the University of Nebraska. During his time there, he achieved notable success, including a 1,690-yard rushing season in 2013, which ranks as the fourth-highest single-season total in Nebraska's history. He opted to return for his senior year despite being eligible for the NFL draft after his junior season and was considered a Heisman Trophy contender in 2014. Abdullah is originally from Homewood, Alabama.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2010: High School Achievements

In 2010, during his senior year of high school, Abdullah had 1,800 yards rushing, 515 yards receiving, and four punt returns for touchdowns. He was also named the 2010 South region player of the year and scored the winning touchdown in overtime at the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic.

2011: Track and Field Achievements

In 2011, Ameer Abdullah, a track star at Homewood High School, ran a career-best time of 11.15 seconds in the 100 meters at the AHSAA 6A Section 3 Championships and also competed in the long jump, achieving a career-best leap of 6.60 meters.

2011: Freshman Season at Nebraska

In the 2011 season, Ameer Abdullah was one of six true freshmen to play for Nebraska. He broke the Nebraska record for total kickoff return yards and scored his first collegiate rushing touchdown against Penn State. He finished the 2011 season with 150 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, 26 kick returns for 763 net yards and a touchdown, and 15 punt returns for 107 net yards.

2012: Breakout Season at Nebraska

In 2012, after Rex Burkhead was injured, Ameer Abdullah started seven games and had a punt return touchdown against Idaho State. He finished the 2012 season with 1,137 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 24 receptions, 178 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.

2013: Record-Breaking Season at Nebraska

In 2013, Abdullah rushed for 1,690 yards, which was the fourth most for a single season in University of Nebraska history.

2013: Record-Setting Season and All-Big Ten Honors

In 2013, Ameer Abdullah rushed for over 100 yards in 11 of 13 games, earning him fourth place in Nebraska school history for ten 100-yard games during the regular season. He rushed for a career-high 225 yards against Illinois. Abdullah was named to the All-Big Ten first-team and was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award. He finished the 2013 season with 1,690 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 26 receptions, 232 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.

January 9, 2014: Decision to Return for Senior Season

On January 9, 2014, Ameer Abdullah decided to stay at Nebraska for his senior season, foregoing the 2014 NFL draft.

September 2014: Sporting News Analysis of Running Attributes

In September 2014, Sporting News analyzed Ameer Abdullah's running attributes, noting his low running style, great balance, vision, patience, burst, and shiftiness, deeming him "the most well-rounded tailback in the country".

September 2014: Heisman Campaign Promotion

In early September 2014, Nebraska launched a campaign to promote Ameer Abdullah for the Heisman Trophy, sending out AA batteries to sports news media and creating a website.

September 22, 2014: Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week

On September 22, 2014, Ameer Abdullah was named Big Ten co-offensive player of the week for week four, sharing honors with Melvin Gordon, after breaking Nebraska's career all-purpose yards record with 5,762 yards.

May 14, 2015: Signed with Detroit Lions

On May 14, 2015, Ameer Abdullah signed a four-year, $4.15 million contract with the Detroit Lions, including $1.85 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.28 million.

September 27, 2015: First Career Touchdown Reception

On September 27, 2015, Ameer Abdullah caught his first career touchdown reception on a 16-yard pass from Matt Stafford during a game against the Denver Broncos.

December 21, 2015: Season-High Rushing Yards

On December 21, 2015, Ameer Abdullah had nine carries for a season-high 77 rushing yards and scored his second rushing touchdown of the season against the New Orleans Saints.

2015: Drafted by Detroit Lions

In 2015, Ameer Abdullah was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the NFL draft.

September 18, 2017: Career-High Rushing Yards

On September 18, 2017, against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, Ameer Abdullah had 17 carries for a then career-high 86 yards in the 24–10 victory.