By Brad Biggs
The pro day at Northwestern proved to be a launching point last year for Jason Williams, a linebacker from Western Illinois.
Wiith about half the teams in the league represented, Williams performed so well that he wound up having to turn down invitations to make pre-draft visits with more than a dozen teams interested in him. He became a third-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys, and now another small-school performer is hoping his day in Evanston turns into big things.
Southern Illinois running back Deji Karim put together an impressive pro day workout Thursday at Northwestern. One scout timed the nation's leading rusher from 2009 at 4.37 seconds in the 4o0-yard dash.
The pro day at Northwestern proved to be a launching point last year for Jason Williams, a linebacker from Western Illinois.
Wiith about half the teams in the league represented, Williams performed so well that he wound up having to turn down invitations to make pre-draft visits with more than a dozen teams interested in him. He became a third-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys, and now another small-school performer is hoping his day in Evanston turns into big things.
Southern Illinois running back Deji Karim put together an impressive pro day workout Thursday at Northwestern. One scout timed the nation's leading rusher from 2009 at 4.37 seconds in the 4o0-yard dash.
Karim, who was not invited to the scouting combine, had a 43-inch
vertical jump, 10 foot, 3-inch broad jump and put up 19 reps on the
bench press at 225 pounds. He measured just a shade under 5-foot-9 and was
210 pounds.
"I felt pretty good this morning," said Karim, who met with the Bears at the Texas vs. The Nation all-star game. "I felt like I had my best stuff. I hope it does me justice."
Karim, who sat out the 2008 season after surgery to repair the patella tendon in his left knee, carried the load for the Salukis this past season. He rushed for 1,694 yards on 240 carries (7.1 average) and 18 touchdowns. Coming off a solid showing in El Paso at the Texas game, he's hoping to build some momentum with the draft six weeks from today. He also met with Atlanta, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Seattle and Tennessee at the all-star game.
"I have always felt like I am operating under the radar," Karim said. "I come from a lower level of football, but a lot of guys have come from this level. It's been like this for me all my life. You just have to keep fighting and take advantage of every opportunity you have.
"That's all I need is an opportunity. I just need a chance."
If his workout at Northwestern does for him what Williams' workout a year ago did, the phone will be ringing for Karim soon.
"I felt pretty good this morning," said Karim, who met with the Bears at the Texas vs. The Nation all-star game. "I felt like I had my best stuff. I hope it does me justice."
Karim, who sat out the 2008 season after surgery to repair the patella tendon in his left knee, carried the load for the Salukis this past season. He rushed for 1,694 yards on 240 carries (7.1 average) and 18 touchdowns. Coming off a solid showing in El Paso at the Texas game, he's hoping to build some momentum with the draft six weeks from today. He also met with Atlanta, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Seattle and Tennessee at the all-star game.
"I have always felt like I am operating under the radar," Karim said. "I come from a lower level of football, but a lot of guys have come from this level. It's been like this for me all my life. You just have to keep fighting and take advantage of every opportunity you have.
"That's all I need is an opportunity. I just need a chance."
If his workout at Northwestern does for him what Williams' workout a year ago did, the phone will be ringing for Karim soon.
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Wow! a 4.37 in the 400 yard dash! I think thats blazing fast in the 40 yard dash. LOL! Love that typo. You go Biggsy. LOL! Yeah he's an impressive athlete that may be a value & a half. These are guys Angelo loves too. Don't be surprised if Angelo trades down to get a whole mess of draft picks since they're a lil' short & he gets a bunch of these type of dark horse types. He did the same thing last year too if you recall. But yeah you gotta love this kids measurables. He is not only fast but powerful & judging by his verticle & broad jump very explosive leg drive. At 5'9" & 210 he has automatic leverage & he'll be able to drive through tackles w/that type of leg drive. Very strong bench reps for a kid his size too. Being the leading rusher he's accomplished on the field as well.
Give me a break with ANOTHER running back catching the eye of these idiots. Either you (the media) are making this sh$% up or the Bears are incompetent (How about both?).
fire lowery