Deji Karim
Deji Karim was an All-State running back for the Panthers that helped lead North to the State Semifinals. He also earned All-City mention in track & field. Deji went on to play 2 seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Junior College before moving on to Southern Illinois where he was a star. Deji led the nation in rushing his senior season for the Salukis and was an All-American. He finished 3rd in the Walter Payton Award voting (FCS Heisman). He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars and spent 4 seasons on NFL rosters with the Jaguars, Colts & Texans. Deji had a 101-yard kickoff return for the Colts in the 2012 season, the longest in Colts history.
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2x Daily Oklahoman All-State (Football, HM Junior, 1st Team Senior)
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2x Daily Oklahoman All-City (Football, 2nd Team Junior, 1st Team Senior)
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Coaches’ All-State Selection (Football, Senior)
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2nd Team Tulsa World All-State (Football, Senior)
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State Runner-Up, 100m (Track & Field, Senior)
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Honorable Mention Daily Oklahoman All-City (Track & Field, Senior)
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4 School Records (Football)
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Continued Football Career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Junior College
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Transferred to Southern Illinois University (2007)
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2x Letterwinner for the Salukis (2007, 2009)
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2x Missouri Valley Conference Champions (2008, 2009)
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Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year (2009)
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1st Team All-Missouri Valley Conference (2009)
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1st Team All-American (2009)
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Walter Payton Award Finalist <FCS Heisman> (2009)
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Graduated with 3 School Records
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Played in the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Game (2010)
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Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars (2010)
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Played 4 Seasons in the NFL (Jaguars, Colts, Texans)
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Only Player in NFL history with over 70 Rushing Yards and over 100 Return yards in his first Career game (2010)
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4 Jaguars Franchise Records
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100 + KO Return (2012)
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Southern Illinois University All-Century Team Selection (2013)
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2 Texans Franchise Records