Ameer Abdullah's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 20, 2025

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Ameer Abdullah.

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

1972: Nebraska Record Broken

In 2014, Ameer Abdullah broke Johnny Rodgers's Nebraska record of 5,586 career all-purpose yards, which had been set in 1972.

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: 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.

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.

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.

September 29, 2014: Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week

On September 29, 2014, Ameer Abdullah was named Big Ten offensive player of the week.

December 2014: Senior CLASS Award

In December 2014, Ameer Abdullah received the Senior CLASS Award for the most outstanding senior college football player in Division I, based on classroom performance, community contributions, personal character, and athletic achievements.

2014: Heisman Trophy Contender

In 2014, Ameer Abdullah was considered a contender for the Heisman Trophy.

2014: Multiple Awards and Honors

In 2014, Ameer Abdullah was named Big 10 offensive player of the week for the fourth time in the 2014 season. He was named to the Paul Hornung Award honor roll for the third time during the 2014 season and was also named Week 9 player of the week by Athlon Sports.