Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Catching up with Deji Karim
07/28/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
July 28, 2010
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois alum and current Jacksonville Jaguars running back Deji Karim signed a four-year contract with the Jaguars on Thursday, July 22.
Karim, who was drafted in the sixth round with the 180th overall pick, became the first Saluki taken in the NFL Draft since Brandon Jacobs in 2005.
The Oklahoma City native left Southern Illinois after rushing for 2,080 yards and 26 TDs in two seasons with the Salukis.
In 2009, Karim rushed for a Football Championship Subdivision high 1,694 yards while averaging 7.1 yards per carry. He set a new single-season school record by racking up 2,339 all-purpose yards that season, a year in which he was named a first-team All-American by four different services.
Karim was the 2009 Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year and finished third in the voting for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the FCS' most outstanding player.
SIUSalukis.com was able to catch up with Karim following a workout on Tuesday as he prepares for training camp that begins on Friday, July 30...
How have your summer workouts gone with the team?
Deji Karim: "They've gone pretty well, it's a lot tougher than college football workouts are. The intensity is higher, but at the same time there is an emphasis on taking care of your body. It's just something you have to adjust to, but so far so good. I'm loving every bit of it."
What did you learn from mini camp?
Deji Karim: "The playbook is not the same, it's a lot different at this level. It's taken me a while to learn the complexity of it, but I feel I have the majority of it down now. The level of play is raised at this level. Everybody at every position is at the top of the game and you have to bring it every time you are on the field, in the meeting rooms and with everything that you are doing. You just have to step it up."
What is your mindset going into your first training camp?
Deji Karim: "To do everything I'm taught at 100 percent. Do everything I can do to help the team and help myself. I want to play at the highest level and be consistent, that's very important. I want to gain the trust from all my coaches and from the players and win a spot on the team. I don't want my time there to be done. I want to keep playing. It's a do or die mentality."
How has it been playing with (RB) Maurice Jones-Drew?
Deji Karim: "It's been great. He's a great mentor on and off the field and a great guy. He tells me if I'm doing something wrong as well as if I'm doing something right. He's consistent and that's why he is one of the best backs in the league. I want to learn everything I can underneath him."
On signing the four-year contract...
Deji Karim: "It was great. To be able to sign a contract two years after having a knee injury - I'm blessed. I thankful for god and for my family. Thankful to all the people at SIU who really helped me through a tough time and I'm blessed to be competing at the professional level and the highest level of football. I'm thankful for everyday I get, but I have a lot more work to do. As greedy as it sounds, I want to get more. I'm going to work harder and harder to earn more."
Expectations for the year?
Deji Karim: "Just to be consistent and help out where ever needed. I expect to do a lot of things, not just at running back, but contribute on special teams. I want to be doing whatever is asked of me at 100 percent. On this level you have to perform at 100 percent all the time."
Are you going to try to keep your eye on the Salukis this year?
Deji Karim: "Oh yeah, I may not be there physically, but I'll be there mentally. I'll be keeping my eye on what they are doing."
What Putnam City North High School alum is going to have a better rookie season in 2010, you or Sam Bradford?
Deji Karim: "Well he's a Heisman Trophy winner and I just wish him the best of luck. We both had the dream in high school about playing in the NFL and we're about to start living it. I wish him the best and I know he wishes the same for me."
