LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Running back Ameer Abdullah says he’s returning to Nebraska for his senior season even though the NFL draft advisory committee told him he probably would be selected “very high in the first half” of this year’s draft.

Abdullah said Thursday that he wants to finish his college education before turning pro. He said he’ll receive his history degree in December. He said all eight of his siblings are college graduates.

Abdullah said the high number of running backs in the draft pool didn’t affect his decision. He had the most productive season by a Nebraska rusher since Ahman Green in 1997. Abdullah went over 1,000 yards for the second straight year. His 1,690 yards was the fourth-best total in program history.

Nebraska junior running back Ameer Abdullah has decided to come back to Lincoln for his senior season with the Huskers football team.

Abdullah just finished a season where he was named third-team All-American by the Associated Press and racked up 1,690 yards rushing, 232 yards receiving and scored a total of  11 touchdowns.

Abdullah said in a statement that he took into account a lot of factors to make his decision, including his family’s economic status, the fact that his older siblings have degrees, his possible draft position and how long an NFL career typically lasts.

Statements from both Abdullah and Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini can be seen below.

Statement from Nebraska Junior I-Back Ameer Abdullah:

I would like to start off by thanking everyone for their patience as I reached this decision. I cannot begin to tell you how truly thankful I am for the Husker coaching staff, my teammates, and the Nebraska fans. My time here at Nebraska has been memorable and more than I could have ever hoped. It is truly an honor to play for this program.

As you know, since the midway point the season I have been asked, repeatedly, whether I would return for my senior season. In reaching my decision I have had to consider a number of factors such as my family’s economic condition, my projected draft position, and my long term success, not just in football, but in life in general. In order to fully understand my decision one must know who I am and where I come from.

I come from a very modest upbringing. As the youngest of my parents’ nine children, I have had to fight for just about everything I have gotten. Despite these apparent obstacles, my parents were able to instill in their children the importance of family, education, and taking advantage of life’s many opportunities.

In holding true to these values, all of my siblings have completed their college education with many of them even going on to obtain advanced degrees. Despite my family’s tradition of completing its college education, I find myself in a very unique situation of having to decide between pursing my dream of playing in the National Football League and breaking from my family’s tradition of completing our education.

While it may be true that none of my siblings were presented with the possibility of playing professional sports, it is equally true that the average NFL career, because of the violent nature of the sport, is less than five years. In analyzing these truths, I have come to realize that life is bigger than football, and that my chances of long-term success in life will be greatly enhanced by completing my college education. Although I have always wanted to play in the NFL, at this time I would like to formally announce my intentions of returning to Nebraska for my senior season.

If playing in the NFL is truly in God’s plans for me, then God will again present this opportunity to me after I complete my college education.

Statement from Head Coach Bo Pelini:

I know Ameer was very thoughtful about his decision and, as you would expect with Ameer, he has handled this the right way. As I have told Ameer and other players who have had to make this same choice, I fully support whatever decision they make, and am willing to help in any way I possibly can.

Ameer comes from a great family, has great character and is a great leader in our program. He stands for all the right things as a student-athlete, and I know it is important for him to leave the University of Nebraska with a degree.

We look forward to having Ameer represent the Nebraska football program for another season. Ameer has the opportunity to leave a legacy at Nebraska that will put him among the all-time greats to play here. He is a young man that is deserving of being a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy and other national awards in 2014.

Nebraska junior running back Ameer Abdullah has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2013 Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top running back. The announcement was made by the SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors on Thursday morning.

Abdullah enters Saturday’s game with Michigan State with 1,213 rushing yards on the season. His 134.8 rushing yards per game leads the Big Ten and ranks fifth nationally. In conference games, Abdullah has ran for 149.6 yards per contest to easily lead the conference. His 1,213 rushing yards are the most by a Husker player through nine games since Ahman Green in 1997.

Abdullah has topped the century mark on the ground in eight of nine games, including each of the past six games. Abdullah’s streak of six straight 100-yard rushing games is the sixth-longest in school history, and his eight 100-yard games in a season are the fifth-most in school history. Abdullah has also caught 21 receptions for 179 yards and his 159.0 all-purpose yards per game leads the Big Ten and ranks 12^th nationally.

The selection of Abdullah as a Doak Walker semifinalist marks the second time in three years Nebraska has had a semifinalist for the award. Rex Burkhead was one of 10 semifinalists during his junior season in 2011.

Abdullah is one of two Big Ten running backs on the semifinal list, joining Wisconsin sophomore Melvin Gordon. Other semifinalists include Western Kentucky senior Antonio Andrews, Arizona junior Ka’Deem Carey, South Carolina sophomore Mike Davis, Stanford senior Tyler Gaffney, Auburn junior Tre Mason, Washington junior Bishop Sankey, Baylor junior Lache Seastrunk and Boston College senior Andre Williams.

The three finalists for the Doak Walker Award will be named on Monday, Nov. 25, and the winner will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 12 on ESPN.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Ameer Abdullah is on pace to deliver one of the greatest seasons by a running back in Nebraska’s history.

Abdullah’s 135 yards per game leads the Big Ten and is sixth nationally. He would be the first Nebraska player since Ahman Green in 1997 to go over 100 yards in seven straight games, though he’ll have to do it this week against Michigan State’s top-ranked rushing defense.

He’s on track to finish the regular season with 1,618 yards — which would be the fifth-most at a school that has a long history of producing some of the college game’s best backs.

Abdullah says he doesn’t pay attention to the statistics. He says he’s more interested in winning.