• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

DL Nader Abdallah (official thread)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
Dispatch

Finishing strong
Abdallah emerged as leader on defensive line in second half of season
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 3:11 AM
By Ken Gordon


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
abdallah200.jpg
DORAL CHENOWETH III | DISPATCH
Nader Abdallah has tried to become more of an emotional leader on the field this season.

1223_osu_abdallah_fumble_sp_12-23-08_C1_E4CAMHM.jpg
Neal C. Lauron | DISPATCH
Ohio State senior defensive tackle Nader Abdallah, right, has 24 tackles, including four for loss, in the past six games.

Nader Abdallah has transformed his legacy from the "Where are they now?" file to "How do you like me now?" Once overweight and underachieving, Abdallah, a fifth-year senior defensive tackle, is finishing his Ohio State career as the impact player -- finally -- that he was expected to be as a blue-chip recruit in the 2004 class.
"I think there was a period of time where people said he's just another guy that's going to come through Ohio State and leave and never do anything," said linebacker Marcus Freeman, a fellow 2004 classmate. "But I think he started showing at the end of last year and through this year, he's more of a leader. He's productive; he's just doing a great job out there."
During the second half of this season, Abdallah led a resurgence of the defensive line that keyed the improvement of the entire defense.
Playing inspired football, Abdallah began regularly penetrating into the backfield and making plays. He forced opponents to account for him, which in turn freed up the linebackers to play more aggressively.
He had eight tackles (one for loss) in the first six games, then 24 (and four for loss) in the past six.
Beyond that, though, he played with a verve and passion previously unseen. When he makes a play now, he often celebrates with a gyrating, arm-pumping display.
"He's already a high-wired guy, and once he gets into the game and he makes plays, his enthusiasm is contagious," cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. "I think he's pretty much the heart of the defensive line. When he gets going, they all get on his back and they follow with him."
Abdallah said his new attitude emerged Oct. 11, when defensive end Lawrence Wilson suffered a knee injury against Purdue and was lost for the season. Abdallah has made a conscious effort to fill the void left by Wilson, a vocal leader.
"When you're making plays, you get more into it, you get so much more of an electric charge out there," Abdallah said. "Since Lawrence got hurt, I've been trying to be out there, be an emotional leader and talk to the guys out there, getting everybody riled up."
Cont....
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
Nader is participating next weekend in The Texas vs. The Nation All Star game...

As one not projected to be drafted, Abdallah is eager to showcase himself at the Texas all-star game. A Louisiana native, he was adopted by Texas because his sister and one brother live in Houston after they were displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

"I was a late bloomer," Abdallah said of his college career. "That's my story, now I have a chance to show scouts I can play football. I'm very excited. I'm going to start destroying people -- I have to do this now; it's now or never for me."
Click to expand...

Texas vs. The Nation
• OSU player : DT Nader Abdallah

• When/Where: Jan. 31, 1 p.m.; El Paso, Texas

• TV: None
Click to expand...


BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Ohio State football: Players jump at chance to impress
 
Upvote 0
Upvote 0
AWESOME... I sure hope he can land somewhere in the NFL because maybe he's just a late bloomer so to speak. He really was a force this year for us this year. When no one was stepping up at the DT position this year, Nadar came through for us and was that trail blazer. Couldn't be rooting for this guy any more... Keep workin Nadar!
 
Upvote 0
Several Web sites have lauded Ohio State defensive lineman Nader Abdallah for his strong practice sessions at the Texas vs. The Nation all-star game, to be played Saturday in El Paso, Texas.

An early week entry from DraftGuys.com: "Abdallah put on a show in the pit, clubbing his opponent to the ground on one decisive win, freeing himself with a spin move on another, and pushing back his opponent with an irresistible bull rush on yet another. Abdallah turned heads as much as any Texas player."

Abdallah didn't receive one of the 300 invitations to the NFL combine, so this is a good opportunity for him to improve his draft status.
Click to expand...


The Columbus Dispatch : Bob Hunter commentary: Rumblings
 
Upvote 0
Through adversity: Ohio State defensive tackle Nader Abdallah enjoyed a strong senior year, earning his school's lineman of the year award and establishing himself as its primary run stopper.

That marked the end of a productive career with the Buckeyes, and one that featured some incredible hardship in 2005.

When Abdallah was a sophomore, his hometown of Metairie, La., was wiped out by Katrina, forcing his family to relocate to his Columbus, Ohio, apartment with very few belongings.

They remained there until April, 2006.

His parents since have moved to their native Palestine.

"This week in El Paso has been great for me," Abdallah said. "It has given me an opportunity to meet with scouts from every NFL team, and I feel that my draft stock has really gone up drastically since the day I got here."

He will represent the Texas team on Saturday.
Click to expand...

Players return to Sun Bowl - El Paso Times
 
Upvote 0
Good to see Nader getting some positive attention. His improvement during his senior season was phenomenal, he really became a factor during the 2nd half of the season. Doubt he'll go in the first 2/3rds of the draft, but I think he could be a late round pick that ends up having a decent NFL career. Definitely a guy I'll be pulling for. Great character.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top