JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed rookie running back Deji Karim, who was the first of the team's two sixth-round picks in this year's NFL Draft.
Karim was the 180th overall pick and is now the fifth of the Jaguars' six draft picks to sign a contract. First-round selection Tyson Alualu is the only remaining draft pick to be signed.
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Karim, 5-8, 209, played two seasons at Southern Illinois after transferring from Northeast Oklahoma A&M Junior College. He rushed for 2,080 yards and 26 touchdowns on 316 attempts in 27 games with the Salukis. He finished his career with 10 100-yard rushing games, including nine in his final season.
As a senior, Karim helped his team to an 11-2 record and a conference title. He led the FCS in rushing with 1,694 yards and finished with 20 total touchdowns. Of his 18 rushing touchdowns, nine were from 20-plus yards. He was the only player in all of Division I in the past seven seasons to record two touchdown runs of 90-plus yards.
Karim was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year as he ranked third in the nation with 130.3 rushing yards per game. In addition, he set a school record with 2,339 all-purpose yards.
Karim was given six names at birth: Abdul-Gafar Olatokumbo Ayodeji Lamar Karim. His name was shortened to Deji at birth, which means "pure happiness."