PC North grad Deji Karim in all-star game Saturday
Former Putnam City North running back Deji Karim is in El Paso, Texas, this week preparing to play in Saturday’s Texas vs. The Nation college all-star game.
The game will air at 1 p.m. on the CBS College Sports channel, which is available on cable and satellite specialty packages in OKC.
Interestingly, Karim, who played college football at Southern Illinois, is not playing for the team you’d expect. He’s suiting up for Team Texas on Saturday.
Of course, that doesn’t much matter. All that matters is that Karim is at the game, which is a chance to show off his talents for NFL scouts. Karim did not get invited to this month’s NFL Scouting Combine, but he’ll have a Pro Day later to give scouts an up-close look at his ability.
He rushed for 1,694 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior at Southern Illinois, earning one of three finalist spots for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top player in Division I-AA.
He measured at 5-foot-8, 210 pounds this week at the Texas vs. The Nation practice (SIU listed him at 5-foot-11). But his speed and elusiveness will give him a chance to catch scouts’ eyes with the hope of being drafted or at least being brought into an NFL camp for the shot to earn a roster spot.
In fact, the 2004 PC North football team could be putting three rookies in the NFL next season, with Karim, former All-SEC placekicker Josh Shene of Ole Miss and some kid named Sam Bradford. Maybe you’ve heard of him.
NFLDraftScout.com has Bradford rated as the No. 2 quarterback, Karim as the No. 25 running back and Shene as the No. 4 kicker available.
– By Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
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