Saturday, May 18, 2013

2013 Player Spotlights: Ra'Keim Abdul

Ra'Keim Abdul. Rivals.com
Ra'Keim Abdul
SM South

Position: Safety/Running Back
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 190 lbs.
Year: Senior

Stat to Note
Abdul recorded 78 tackles and two interceptions as a junior, which earned him First Team All-Sunflower League honors as a defensive back.  He also returned a kick for a touchdown and rushed for 162 yards.

Scouting Report
Abdul's nickname, "Rock," is quite fitting given the fact that he's the foundation with which SM South will build their success around in 2013.  He's a throwback player in that he does everything to help his team win.  As a junior he started as a safety on defense, played wide receiver, running back and ran the Wildcat quarterback on offense, and played on each of the Raiders' special teams units.  It's also worth mentioning that he was a shooting guard on SM South's Class 5A state champion basketball team this past winter.  Basically, the kid's a great all-around athlete (he boasts a 35-inch vertical and a forty in the 4.5 neighborhood).

As a safety Adbul's biggest strength is his ability to support the run.  He's excellent at filling gaps at the second level and he seems to have a knack for making big hits.  He also has good ball skills, evidenced by his two interceptions in 2012.  With the ball in his hands he's a terror as well, and you could make the case he was the league's best return man last season. It's no coincidence that Abdul is on the verge of being offered by several FBS programs.

More than anything, Abdul is the dominant type of player that every team needs in order to have an excellent season. The fact that he's not a one-trick pony and can help a team out in all facets of the game makes him even more valuable.  Keep an eye on the impact Abdul makes -- across the board -- for the Raiders as they work to build on their 4-5 record from a season ago.

6 comments:

Wii Not Fit said...

Does this young man have any offers yet?

Eli Underwood said...

Not yet but KU, Tulsa, Northern Illinois and Minnesota are seemingly all close to pulling the trigger on an offer. Once he gets one he should have four within a matter of weeks.

TheImpaler said...

Hey, Eli did Sterbinator get any offers?

Eli Underwood said...

I'm not sure on his offers. Last I heard he was going to be attending KU as a normal student.

TheImpaler said...

That's a damn shame, you'd think at the very least some MIAA team would take a chance on a kid that's that tough and determined.

Govannon Grey said...

I'm guessing it was his choice not to play college. I've seen lesser players get offers from DII and NAIA. I've also seen good players decide to hang up the cleats after high school.