Being drafted by the Jaguars was an emotional experience for Southern Illinois running back Deji Karim.
Karim, a 5-8, 209-pound stick of dynamite that rushed for 1,694 yards, a 7.1 yards-per-carry average and 18 touchdowns last season, was overcome by emotion as he spoke to reporters following his selection in the sixth round as the 180th overall pick of the draft.
"It's been my dream since I was a little kid," Karim said. "This is a stepping stone to what I want to get accomplished."
Karim may be the small-college version of Maurice Jones-Drew. He's said to run a sub-4.4 40 and he describes himself as an "explosive" kick-returner. "I'm one of those guys who can break it at any time," he said.
As a kickoff-returner, Karim averaged 30.9 yards per return and took one back 82 yards for a touchdown last season. He also caught17 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown.
Karim has Jones-Drew-like compactness and versatility and he'll have a chance to compete for the right to be Jones-Drew's complement.
