Yasir Abdullah, a South Florida native and Louisville linebacker who’s a prospect within the upcoming NFL draft, has recollections of rising up primarily within the shadows of Hard Rock Stadium, which the Miami Dolphins name residence.
“When I was a kid, it was just crazy driving past it, like, ‘I want to be there,’” Abdullah instructed the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Wednesday as he preps for the NFL scouting mix in two weeks. He’s figuring out at Bommarito Performance Systems in Aventura, together with dozens of different draft prospects coaching domestically.
“It would be a dream to play for the Dolphins because I’m from Miami, but whatever team picks me up, I’ll be grateful.”
When the late April draft rolls round, the Dolphins may very properly be in search of a linebacker. Possibly one who is flexible to play inside and outside, to hurry the passer and play protection — and, ideally, one who can contribute on particular groups.
Abdullah may have a number of the issues the Dolphins could be in search of from a late-round choice. He is from Miramar, starred in soccer and observe at Miami Carol City High earlier than attending Louisville and his father, Xavier McCray, was on the Florida Gators’ 1996 nationwide championship workforce.
Abdullah primarily performed Sam linebacker with the Cardinals. Around 6-foot-1, 234 kilos, he figures to be an athletic stand-up edge rusher within the NFL. The go rush is his specialty, after combining for 19½ sacks between his 2021 and 2022 seasons.
He additionally developed the flexibility in go protection over his faculty profession, intercepting two passes in his fifth and closing season at Louisville, whereas proudly owning a 46.8 quarterback ranking towards when focused.
“I just kept progressing throughout the years,” Abdullah mentioned. “Stay the course. Trust the method.
“There’s always something to improve — my pass rush, my drops, my run destruction. There’s always something to work on. I hope one NFL team can look at me and take their time on me to see what I got.”
Abdullah mentioned he feels “comfortable” overlaying working backs out of the backfield, which is one thing Miami struggled with final season. He additionally possesses the pace to probably stick with cellular quarterbacks, one other troublesome space for the Dolphins protection in 2022.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, regardless of his offensive background, has mentioned the sting is his favourite place in all of soccer. Miami, after standout exterior linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, has Melvin Ingram and Andrew Van Ginkel getting into free company this offseason, together with inside linebackers Elandon Roberts, Duke Riley and Sam Eguavoen.
The Dolphins might be a revamped linebacker corps as new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio takes over.
With the mix looming, Abdullah can depend on his observe background as a sprinter between time at Miramar and Carol City High as he appears to be like to maximise his 40-yard sprint time.
“I just lock into my track self,” Abdullah mentioned. “I wear my tights, wear low socks when I’m wearing my cleats. It’s like running a race, but I’m going against time.”
Abdullah acquired to indicate a few of his versatility earlier on this draft course of on the East-West Shrine Bowl, the place he additionally felt he proved he could be a particular groups contributor.
He acquired to fulfill with many of the NFL groups there, together with the Dolphins. The interview side will once more be emphasised at Indianapolis’ mix.
“I want them to know they’re going to get a hard-working guy,” Abdullah mentioned. “I’m going to do whatever’s good for the team. Great guy to talk to, great in the community, as well, and just all-around guy.”
In his highschool profession in South Florida, Abdullah initially transferred to Carol City as a decent finish, however late coach Aubrey Hill’s offense didn’t have many tight finish packages. His defensive coordinator, Damon Cogdell, who beforehand received a state title on the helm for Miramar, requested if he may rush the passer defensively. The relaxation was historical past.
Abdullah developed right into a touted recruit that went from taking part in defensive finish to exterior linebacker. He was a key cog on the Chiefs’ 2016 Class 6A state championship protection.
As a junior that yr, he as soon as earned a highschool participant of the week honor from the Miami Dolphins. He was invited to the stadium for a house recreation and stepped out onto the sphere to be awarded.
“It was just electrifying,” he mentioned about seeing the NFL environment, “like, ‘I’m going to be at this point in my life one day.’”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com