Fullback Fro
yesno
When I first saw his name I was like "Who the heck is that?". He must be some fullback. But I wanted to make sure as I seem compelled to investigate anyone that gets drafted with a RB next to their name. I have to admit, the more I looked the more I liked.
Here's the first article I found:
Eyes wide open
SIU's Karim expects to go undrafted, but he's hoping to hear his name called
Former Southern Illinois running back Deji Karim is prepared to watch hours and hours of NFL draft coverage on ESPN over the next two days.
Deji Karim's performance at Northwestern's pro day on March 11 opened eyes of NFL teams.
He'll have his girlfriend, her family and his family to keep him company in Oklahoma City, but he doesn't plan on needing much distraction as he awaits his name being called.
"Oh, yeah, trust me, this has been my dream since I was little, I'm ready to sit there and watch the whole thing," Karim said.
That approach might seem like torture for some as there's a possibility that Karim may not be selected in any of the seven rounds. ESPN's NFL draft analysts have everyone passing on Karim, but his agent has projected him anywhere between the third and sixth rounds.
Karim, himself, is planning to go undrafted.
"I'm setting myself up to expect the worst," said Karim, who is 5-8, 209 pounds. "You never know what's going to happen. I hope to hear my name called. If that happens, it's going to make me the happiest person in the world. I don't know what to expect."
It was easier to gauge Karim's stock when his senior season ended in December. While Karim did have a memorable year with the Salukis as he rushed for a Football Championship Subdivision-best 1,694 yards, accumulated a school-record 2,339 all-purpose yards and scored 20 touchdowns, he wasn't on many draft radars.
Karim changed that in one day.
On March 11 at Northwestern's pro day, Karim produced numbers that stood out. His vertical jump (43 inches), 20-yard shuttle run (4.05 seconds) and 3-cone run (6.67 seconds) would have ranked him first at the NFL draft combine. He also ran a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash, which would have been second-best at the combine. He had a broad jump of 10-3 (third best) and completed 19 reps in the bench press (sixth best).
The numbers surprised most, including Karim's agent, Scott Smith of X-A-M Sports & Entertainment.
"I was expecting good numbers, but I try to temper my expectations in this business," Smith said. "I was expecting him to do well. He certainly met my expectations and probably exceeded them in areas. Those are rare numbers across the board."
Smith's phone began ringing soon after. Five teams (Chargers, Colts, Eagles, Lions, Jaguars) flew Karim out for visits, and Smith has heard from every other team.
It's because of all those inquiries that Smith doesn't anticipate Karim going undrafted.
"Unless you're a lock to go in the top 100, I think anything is possible, but I think it's unlikely for Deji [to go undrafted] at this point," Smith said. "There's just been too much interest in him from multiple teams. I don't think a team will roll the dice and try to sign him as an undrafted free agent. I don't see him getting past the sixth round."
ESPN NFL draft analyst Steve Muench disagrees. He believes Karim will end up with a team, but it won't be through the draft.
"Karim doesn't have the power to develop into a 'primary' ball carrier at the NFL level, and he's a little too straight-line -- lacks ideal elusiveness -- for a smaller back prospect," Muench said. "In addition, he missed the 2008 season with a knee injury. He projects as a priority rookie free agent because he's got good speed and some upside as a situational back, third-down back."
Karim just hopes for the opportunity to prove otherwise.
"I've been proving it over and over," Karim said. "I'd be looking forward to showing off my skills in the NFL at the highest level. From junior college to Division I-AA, I've been proving myself. I want to get to the highest level of football.
"[being drafted] would mean the world to me. I've been watching the draft since I was a little kid. I don't know what I'm going to do if I hear my name called."
Scott Powers covers high school and college sports for ESPNChicago.com and can be reached at spowers@espnchicago.com.
What I like here is a kid that has had to prove himself every step of the way. He seems to have skills and tools to make it to the next level and the work ethic and determination to stick.
Next I found his CBSSportsline Scouting Page
DEJI KARIM, RBHeight: 5-09 | Weight: 209 | College: Southern Illinois
Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange
Player Ratings
Position Overall Pos. Rank Proj. Round
RB 209 15 6-7
Complete 2010 Ratings
Latest News
04/26/2010 - A closer look at the Jaguars' picks: Round 6/180 -- Deji Karim, RB/KR, 5-8, 209, Southern Illinois, Jaguars like his versatility of a third-down back and a kick returner. Likely to play on other special teams as well. He has the talent to move into the No. 2 spot on the depth chart at running back.
Full Deji Karim News Wire
Player Analysis
Overview
Karim was just starting to come into his own when a knee injury cost him his entire junior season in 2008. However, he bounced back very well, exploding onto the college football scene in 2009 by earning All-American and first-team All-Gateway honors after rushing for 1,694 yards and 18 touchdowns while also gaining 212 yards and scoring once on 17 receptions. He also finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting (the FCS Heisman) behind Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards and Elon WR Terrell Hudgins.
After Karim rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a high school senior, he became a productive player at Northeast Oklahoma A&M, rushing for 1,972 yards and 26 scores in his two seasons there. As a reserve in 2007, he had 386 yards and led the team with eight touchdowns on only 76 carries.
Undeterred by not receiving a Combine invite, Karim turned in an excellent week at the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge, then wowed scouts at his pro day with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical and 6.95 3-cone drill. His speed and low center of gravity will make it difficult for even NFL defenders to get big hits on him -- and could lead to a long career.
Analysis
Inside: Low center of gravity, good vision and quick feet to wiggle through creases. Presses the line hard to burst through holes. Solid build to bounce off tacklers who don't wrap. Runs with lean inside and falls forward. Secure with the ball inside. Could be more patient behind the fullback when in two-back sets.
Outside: Excellent straight-line speed, can breakaway from FCS defenders once in the open field. Uses vision and speed to be a solid kick returner. Good balance, can make a quick juke to freeze and blow by defender when running straight-on. Holds ball high and tight almost every carry. Gets the corner but only average change of direction to cut on the edge, best on North-South runs.
Breaking tackles: Bowling ball running style (low pad level and thick legs) makes it difficult to stop his momentum without a clean shot. Arm tacklers slide right by him. Uses his hands to shed oncoming tacklers and owns a strong stiff-arm. Keeps his eyes downfield and legs churning after first contact. Susceptible to cut tackles.
Blocking: Stands up to blitzers inside, giving good effort, but having short arms and not much of an anchor limits his ability to sustain against pro defenders. Willing cut blocker, though NFL defensive ends will leap over him.
Receiving: Solid hands, catches away from his frame when facing the quarterback. Practiced at screens and throws into the flat, needs coaching on footwork on other routes. Sells block on screen and finds passing lane, though lack of size makes it difficult to find him. Goes up to get high throws, adjust to low throws. Good vision after the catch. Eludes defenders with stop-start move in the open field, along with strong hands to push by would-be tacklers.
Intangibles: Soft-spoken young man who battled through a knee injury to get into position to play at the next level. Does not back down from challenges, on or off the field.
2009 Season
Karim rebounded from a knee injury that cost him the 2008 season to have a record-breaking year. He was the 2009 Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year and is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the most outstanding player in the FCS. Karim's 2,339 all-purpose yards this year broke the school record and his 1,694 rushing yards are the third most by a Saluki in single-season history. He scored 18 touchdowns rushing the ball and 20 total on the year, both of which rank second in the FCS. His 1,694 rushing yards are the most in the Football Championship Subdivision this season and Karim also ranked third in all-purpose yardage.
2008 Season
Redshirted … Missed the entire season with a knee injury.
2007 Season
SIU's third-leading rusher, who carried the ball 76 times for 386 yards … Led the team with eight rushing touchdowns … Averaged 5.1 yards per carry … His first career start was at Southern Utah, where he ran for 40 yards and two touchdowns on a season-high 12 carries … Piled up a season-high 101 yards and scored two touchdowns on 11 rushing attempts at Indiana State … Had nine carries consisting of 10 or more yards.
Agility Tests
Combine: Did not receive and invitation.
Pro day: 4.4-second 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical and 6.95 3-cone drill.
Junior College
Transfer from Northeast Oklahoma A&M Junior College … Rushed for 978 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore and earned honorable mention All-SWJCFC (Southwest Junior College Football Conference) … Rushed for 994 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman and was named honorable mention All-America … Also earned second-team all-conference honors in the SWJCFC.
High School
Ran for more than 2,000 yards and 28 TDs as a senior … Named all-state.
Personal
Born November 18, 1986 … .Son of Lanre and Tai Karim … Majoring in recreation.
After reading this I'm getting really interested. He's a small thick guy in the vain of some other very successful RB's like MJD, Ray Rice, Darren Sproles. He pocesses the raw athleticism I want to see in a NFL Caliber back. His straight line speed his highly impressive. The scouting Report is backed up by his pro-day numbers. Now I want to see the guy. Here's what I found.
Deji Karim (RB, Southern Illinois) - Pro Day Workout 3/11/10
Did you see his legs? They are huge. Add that body to growing list of reasons that I like him. Its easy to like a guy just by looking at his numbers but actually seeing the dude do the drills is another thing. Some people have the it factor and after seeing Deji do his pro-day workout on film I can only see that he's a nice little back here.
Game Film. I need to find some pronto. I could only find a couple pieces of game film on the guy.
Here is an interview with some clips of him running. Its a good interview and shows he's committed but the clips are at the 2:17 mark if you just want jump straight there.
Here is some other game from the Western Illinois Univerity vs Southern Illinois Univerity Football 2009. Check out the following minutes marks.
0:50 - Nice long break showing straight line speed.
1:52 - Almost takes a kickoff return back
3:03 - Takes a screen pass and displays some sick moves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej8pypXXA7k...feature=related
Summary
Looks like the kid has gone some strong measurables and has backed it up on the field. Jax flew him in for a workout and then committed to the guy by drafting him. This is a huge boon for his future chances. This guys was not supposed to be drafted he made believers out of NFL scouts and executives enough to 1) Keep him off other teams by drafting him and 2) give him a shot to make the team.
He seems to have a similar skill set as MJD. So Jacksonville has already been successfully with a guy of this stature. Behind MJD there is a not a lot of competition for the roster spot. Rarshard Jennnings was almost the last pick in the 2009 Draft but did not set the world on fire last year. Deji has a great chance to stick. Will he ever be a feature back? I'm not sure about that. The odds are staked against him. But they have been stacked against him pretty much throughout his whole football career and he's done nothing but prove himself.
Here's the first article I found:
Eyes wide open
SIU's Karim expects to go undrafted, but he's hoping to hear his name called
Former Southern Illinois running back Deji Karim is prepared to watch hours and hours of NFL draft coverage on ESPN over the next two days.
Deji Karim's performance at Northwestern's pro day on March 11 opened eyes of NFL teams.
He'll have his girlfriend, her family and his family to keep him company in Oklahoma City, but he doesn't plan on needing much distraction as he awaits his name being called.
"Oh, yeah, trust me, this has been my dream since I was little, I'm ready to sit there and watch the whole thing," Karim said.
That approach might seem like torture for some as there's a possibility that Karim may not be selected in any of the seven rounds. ESPN's NFL draft analysts have everyone passing on Karim, but his agent has projected him anywhere between the third and sixth rounds.
Karim, himself, is planning to go undrafted.
"I'm setting myself up to expect the worst," said Karim, who is 5-8, 209 pounds. "You never know what's going to happen. I hope to hear my name called. If that happens, it's going to make me the happiest person in the world. I don't know what to expect."
It was easier to gauge Karim's stock when his senior season ended in December. While Karim did have a memorable year with the Salukis as he rushed for a Football Championship Subdivision-best 1,694 yards, accumulated a school-record 2,339 all-purpose yards and scored 20 touchdowns, he wasn't on many draft radars.
Karim changed that in one day.
On March 11 at Northwestern's pro day, Karim produced numbers that stood out. His vertical jump (43 inches), 20-yard shuttle run (4.05 seconds) and 3-cone run (6.67 seconds) would have ranked him first at the NFL draft combine. He also ran a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash, which would have been second-best at the combine. He had a broad jump of 10-3 (third best) and completed 19 reps in the bench press (sixth best).
The numbers surprised most, including Karim's agent, Scott Smith of X-A-M Sports & Entertainment.
"I was expecting good numbers, but I try to temper my expectations in this business," Smith said. "I was expecting him to do well. He certainly met my expectations and probably exceeded them in areas. Those are rare numbers across the board."
Smith's phone began ringing soon after. Five teams (Chargers, Colts, Eagles, Lions, Jaguars) flew Karim out for visits, and Smith has heard from every other team.
It's because of all those inquiries that Smith doesn't anticipate Karim going undrafted.
"Unless you're a lock to go in the top 100, I think anything is possible, but I think it's unlikely for Deji [to go undrafted] at this point," Smith said. "There's just been too much interest in him from multiple teams. I don't think a team will roll the dice and try to sign him as an undrafted free agent. I don't see him getting past the sixth round."
ESPN NFL draft analyst Steve Muench disagrees. He believes Karim will end up with a team, but it won't be through the draft.
"Karim doesn't have the power to develop into a 'primary' ball carrier at the NFL level, and he's a little too straight-line -- lacks ideal elusiveness -- for a smaller back prospect," Muench said. "In addition, he missed the 2008 season with a knee injury. He projects as a priority rookie free agent because he's got good speed and some upside as a situational back, third-down back."
Karim just hopes for the opportunity to prove otherwise.
"I've been proving it over and over," Karim said. "I'd be looking forward to showing off my skills in the NFL at the highest level. From junior college to Division I-AA, I've been proving myself. I want to get to the highest level of football.
"[being drafted] would mean the world to me. I've been watching the draft since I was a little kid. I don't know what I'm going to do if I hear my name called."
Scott Powers covers high school and college sports for ESPNChicago.com and can be reached at spowers@espnchicago.com.
What I like here is a kid that has had to prove himself every step of the way. He seems to have skills and tools to make it to the next level and the work ethic and determination to stick.
Next I found his CBSSportsline Scouting Page
DEJI KARIM, RBHeight: 5-09 | Weight: 209 | College: Southern Illinois
Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange
Player Ratings
Position Overall Pos. Rank Proj. Round
RB 209 15 6-7
Complete 2010 Ratings
Latest News
04/26/2010 - A closer look at the Jaguars' picks: Round 6/180 -- Deji Karim, RB/KR, 5-8, 209, Southern Illinois, Jaguars like his versatility of a third-down back and a kick returner. Likely to play on other special teams as well. He has the talent to move into the No. 2 spot on the depth chart at running back.
Full Deji Karim News Wire
Player Analysis
Overview
Karim was just starting to come into his own when a knee injury cost him his entire junior season in 2008. However, he bounced back very well, exploding onto the college football scene in 2009 by earning All-American and first-team All-Gateway honors after rushing for 1,694 yards and 18 touchdowns while also gaining 212 yards and scoring once on 17 receptions. He also finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting (the FCS Heisman) behind Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards and Elon WR Terrell Hudgins.
After Karim rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a high school senior, he became a productive player at Northeast Oklahoma A&M, rushing for 1,972 yards and 26 scores in his two seasons there. As a reserve in 2007, he had 386 yards and led the team with eight touchdowns on only 76 carries.
Undeterred by not receiving a Combine invite, Karim turned in an excellent week at the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge, then wowed scouts at his pro day with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical and 6.95 3-cone drill. His speed and low center of gravity will make it difficult for even NFL defenders to get big hits on him -- and could lead to a long career.
Analysis
Inside: Low center of gravity, good vision and quick feet to wiggle through creases. Presses the line hard to burst through holes. Solid build to bounce off tacklers who don't wrap. Runs with lean inside and falls forward. Secure with the ball inside. Could be more patient behind the fullback when in two-back sets.
Outside: Excellent straight-line speed, can breakaway from FCS defenders once in the open field. Uses vision and speed to be a solid kick returner. Good balance, can make a quick juke to freeze and blow by defender when running straight-on. Holds ball high and tight almost every carry. Gets the corner but only average change of direction to cut on the edge, best on North-South runs.
Breaking tackles: Bowling ball running style (low pad level and thick legs) makes it difficult to stop his momentum without a clean shot. Arm tacklers slide right by him. Uses his hands to shed oncoming tacklers and owns a strong stiff-arm. Keeps his eyes downfield and legs churning after first contact. Susceptible to cut tackles.
Blocking: Stands up to blitzers inside, giving good effort, but having short arms and not much of an anchor limits his ability to sustain against pro defenders. Willing cut blocker, though NFL defensive ends will leap over him.
Receiving: Solid hands, catches away from his frame when facing the quarterback. Practiced at screens and throws into the flat, needs coaching on footwork on other routes. Sells block on screen and finds passing lane, though lack of size makes it difficult to find him. Goes up to get high throws, adjust to low throws. Good vision after the catch. Eludes defenders with stop-start move in the open field, along with strong hands to push by would-be tacklers.
Intangibles: Soft-spoken young man who battled through a knee injury to get into position to play at the next level. Does not back down from challenges, on or off the field.
2009 Season
Karim rebounded from a knee injury that cost him the 2008 season to have a record-breaking year. He was the 2009 Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year and is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the most outstanding player in the FCS. Karim's 2,339 all-purpose yards this year broke the school record and his 1,694 rushing yards are the third most by a Saluki in single-season history. He scored 18 touchdowns rushing the ball and 20 total on the year, both of which rank second in the FCS. His 1,694 rushing yards are the most in the Football Championship Subdivision this season and Karim also ranked third in all-purpose yardage.
2008 Season
Redshirted … Missed the entire season with a knee injury.
2007 Season
SIU's third-leading rusher, who carried the ball 76 times for 386 yards … Led the team with eight rushing touchdowns … Averaged 5.1 yards per carry … His first career start was at Southern Utah, where he ran for 40 yards and two touchdowns on a season-high 12 carries … Piled up a season-high 101 yards and scored two touchdowns on 11 rushing attempts at Indiana State … Had nine carries consisting of 10 or more yards.
Agility Tests
Combine: Did not receive and invitation.
Pro day: 4.4-second 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical and 6.95 3-cone drill.
Junior College
Transfer from Northeast Oklahoma A&M Junior College … Rushed for 978 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore and earned honorable mention All-SWJCFC (Southwest Junior College Football Conference) … Rushed for 994 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman and was named honorable mention All-America … Also earned second-team all-conference honors in the SWJCFC.
High School
Ran for more than 2,000 yards and 28 TDs as a senior … Named all-state.
Personal
Born November 18, 1986 … .Son of Lanre and Tai Karim … Majoring in recreation.
After reading this I'm getting really interested. He's a small thick guy in the vain of some other very successful RB's like MJD, Ray Rice, Darren Sproles. He pocesses the raw athleticism I want to see in a NFL Caliber back. His straight line speed his highly impressive. The scouting Report is backed up by his pro-day numbers. Now I want to see the guy. Here's what I found.
Deji Karim (RB, Southern Illinois) - Pro Day Workout 3/11/10
Did you see his legs? They are huge. Add that body to growing list of reasons that I like him. Its easy to like a guy just by looking at his numbers but actually seeing the dude do the drills is another thing. Some people have the it factor and after seeing Deji do his pro-day workout on film I can only see that he's a nice little back here.
Game Film. I need to find some pronto. I could only find a couple pieces of game film on the guy.
Here is an interview with some clips of him running. Its a good interview and shows he's committed but the clips are at the 2:17 mark if you just want jump straight there.
Here is some other game from the Western Illinois Univerity vs Southern Illinois Univerity Football 2009. Check out the following minutes marks.
0:50 - Nice long break showing straight line speed.
1:52 - Almost takes a kickoff return back
3:03 - Takes a screen pass and displays some sick moves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej8pypXXA7k...feature=related
Summary
Looks like the kid has gone some strong measurables and has backed it up on the field. Jax flew him in for a workout and then committed to the guy by drafting him. This is a huge boon for his future chances. This guys was not supposed to be drafted he made believers out of NFL scouts and executives enough to 1) Keep him off other teams by drafting him and 2) give him a shot to make the team.
He seems to have a similar skill set as MJD. So Jacksonville has already been successfully with a guy of this stature. Behind MJD there is a not a lot of competition for the roster spot. Rarshard Jennnings was almost the last pick in the 2009 Draft but did not set the world on fire last year. Deji has a great chance to stick. Will he ever be a feature back? I'm not sure about that. The odds are staked against him. But they have been stacked against him pretty much throughout his whole football career and he's done nothing but prove himself.
not sure why they acquired karim if jennings is "the guy"
not sure why they acquired karim if jennings is "the guy"
