Abdullah Signs With Giants

HARRISONBURG – Former James Madison running back Khalid Abdullah has signed a contract with the New York Giants, according to NJ.com.

Abdullah ran for 1,809 yards and 22 touchdowns in his senior season at JMU, but went undrafted and didn’t sign a free-agent contract immediately following the draft.

The Newport News native landed a tryout with the San Francisco 49ers last week and didn’t make the team. This week he worked out for the Giants at the team’s rookie minicamp.

During the pre-draft process, Abdullah took a visit to New York, which included a dinner with coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese.

“My production was a little eye-popping for them,” Abdullah said last month after he met with the Giants. “And the fact that I have decent speed and that I can catch the ball out of the backfield and do all the things that you need, as far as a quality back, I think that’s what they liked about me.”

Abdullah is the third player from JMU’s national championship squad to sign a contract. Offensive lineman Mitchell Kirsch and cornerback Taylor Reynolds inked deals with the Bears and Falcons respectively.