Mu\'Ammar Ali Update

[forestgreen]

From Ian's blog today:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/portlandstatevikings/2008/03/muammar_ali_update.html

Mu'Ammar Ali Update
Posted by Ian Ruder March 06, 2008 05:03AM
Categories: Football

With Viking nation taking a little break before gearing up for next week's Big Sky Tournament, what better time could there be to look ahead to next month's NFL Draft.

What does that have to do with Portland State football?

Does the name Mu'Ammar Ali ring a bell?

Ali was the primary running back for the Vikings in 2006 after transferring from New Mexico State. After deciding not to return for his senior season, Ali is working to become the latest Viking to play professionally.

Ali's dad, Mustafa, checked in with the blog and wanted to let Viking fans know Ali is looking good with less than two months remaining until the draft. Mu'Ammar will be back in Portland next Wednesday to show off his skills in front of NFL scouts at Pro Day.

According to Mustafa, Mo has been training in Arizona and is consistently running a 4.34 to 4.32 in the forty yard dash and locking down a 40-inch vertical.

Ali's name has popped up on a number of lists as a under the radar runner. Hopefully all his hard work will pay off.

 

[bigvik]

almost sounds like his dad is trying to get his boy some publicity. I still feel he should have played this last year.

 

[PortlandStater]

Could someone freshen up my memory, please?

1) Why didn't he come back for his senior year?

2) Why did he transfer from NMS to PSU?

 

[WiViking]

He didn't fit in to the run and shoot, and didn't have great pass catching skills. I'm sure he has worked on that in Arizona.
As to NMSU, I believe he was one of the students who was ostracized for his religion.

 

[dystopiamembrane]

As to NMSU, I believe he was one of the students who was ostracized for his religion.

correct.

 

[bigvik]

I would still think that he would have been better served staying on the team regardless of playing time or the potential for playing time. From the eyes of pro personnel it mike look like once things weren't in his favor that he up and quit. Now lets say he hypothetically gets picked up by a team it will be a year and a half since he has played any type of football, and that last year was mired by a nasty shoulder blade fracture. (that might be one of the more unique injuries i have ever heard of) I just think that being on a team and being healthy and teams that showed up to watch practice during the fall would at least have seen him running around in pads doing stuff rather than only on a pro day in shorts a year and a half later.