Highlight Sheet

Feb. 5, 2010

By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois running back Deji Karim is playing in Saturday's Pro Football Hall of Fame Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game in El Paso, Texas.

The game is played UTEP's Sun Bowl Stadium and is scheduled to kickoff at 1 p.m. on CBS College Sports, which is available on DirecTV channel 613 and Dish Network channel 152.

Karim, the 2009 Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year, is going to suit up for the Texas team.

Since his graduation from Southern Illinois University in December, he has been training for the NFL Draft.

Karim's been able to showcase his skills and athletic ability for professional scouts throughout the week in El Paso, as he arrived there last Sunday. As part of the events throughout the week that lead up to Saturday's game, participants undergo NFL combine testing and interviews.

In his time as a Saluki, Karim scored 26 rushing touchdowns in two seasons. In 2009 he burst onto the national scene by rushing for a FCS-best 1,694 yards and a staggering 7.06 yards per carry. He was one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award that goes to the most valuable FCS player and was named a first team All-American by four different services.

Karim is the second Saluki to compete in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game. Quarterback Nick Hill played in all-star game on Feb. 1, 2008. Karim and Hill are two of 16 Salukis that have been invited to play in post-season senior all-star games.

Hill completed two passes for 14 yards in his all-star appearance before going on to sign with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He is currently on the roster for the Orlando Predators out of the Arena Football League.