Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft Friday evening. Abdullah was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 54th overall pick in the Draft. Abdullah was the fourth running back selected in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The Homewood, Ala., native left Nebraska as one of the top playmakers in school history. Abdullah finished second in Nebraska history in rushing yards with 4,588 career yards. He also became the first player in Nebraska history with three 1,000-yard rushing seasons, including a pair of seasons topping 1,500 yards.
The 5-9, 200-pound Abdullah shattered the Nebraska school record for all-purpose yards. Abdullah finished his career with 7,186 all-purpose yards, the second-most in Big Ten history. He is one of just 11 players in NCAA FBS history to surpass 7,000 career all-purpose yards.
Abdullah was honored for his play in 2014. One of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award, Abdullah was also a finalist for the Hornung Award, Wuerffel Trophy, Senior CLASS Award and the Pop Warner College Football Award.
Abdullah earned second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press, Walter Camp Football Foundation, CBS Sports.com, Scout.com and Athlon. Abdullah also earned All-Big Ten honors for the third straight season, being named to the second-team by both the Coaches and Media, while earning first-team all-league honors from several outlets.
A standout off the field, Abdullah was named to the academic All-Big Ten team for the second straight season. He earned his degree in history in December, completing his undergraduate studies in just 3 1/2 years.
Abdullah’s selection with the No. 54 overall pick marks the highest selection for a Nebraska skill position player since 1996. Abdullah became the first Nebraska running back taken in the first two rounds since Brandon Jackson was selected with the 63rd overall pick in the 2007 Draft.
Nebraska has had a running back selected in three of the past five drafts, with Abdullah joining Roy Helu Jr. (4thround, 2011) and Rex Burkhead (6th round, 2013).
The second and third rounds will take place tonight while the draft concludes Saturday with the fourth through seventh rounds.