Ameer Abdullah will turn down an early entry to the NFL Draft and return to Nebraska for his senior season.
Abdullah rushed for 1,690 yards -- the fourth-best single-season total in school history -- in 2013. While the offense dealt with inconsistency at the quarterback position, Abdullah broke the 100-yard rushing mark 11 times and averaged 130.0 yards per game.
"I know Ameer was very thoughtful about his decision and, as you would expect with Ameer, he has handled this the right way," Cornhuskers coach Bo Pelini said. "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."
The All-Big Ten first team selection released a lengthy statement through the school on Thursday, explaining his commitment and though process on the decision.
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.
