Louisville football: Looking ahead to 2021 with Yasir Abdullah’s father

I sat down with former Florida Gator Xavier McCray to discuss his son, Louisville football linebacker Yasir Abdullah.

Louisville football star linebacker Yasir Abdullah has been turning heads since his freshman year. However, did you know his father has a connection with another Cardinal parent?

Xavier McCray played linebacker alongside Keith Kelsey’s dad, Keith Kelsey Sr. on the 1996 Gators national title squad.

I sat down to talk with McCray, and from what I gathered, he sees a lot of himself in his son.

“He moves like I did. He has a lot of speed,” McCray said.

Ever since he was young, Abdullah has had a head full of steam. He’s now emerging as one of Louisville’s premier threats on defense. It all starts somewhere.

“He sacked (former Louisville wide receiver) Tutu Atwell five times in one game back in high school,” McCray said.

That’s quite a feat for the former Carol City High School linebacker, considering his primary target that day was an elusive specimen, primed to be a millionaire by this time next year. It was games like this that eventually caught the eye of Louisville’s coaching staff.

“We knew they wanted him pretty bad,” McCray said.

Louisville offered Abdullah a scholarship on May 2, 2017, just one day after LSU. He committed 26 days later and ultimately took his official visit on December 16 of that year. 4 days after that, he signed his letter of intent, and subsequently enrolled in June the next year. His freshman season would turn out to be one of the most abysmal college football seasons in history, but that didn’t shake the young warrior.

“If anything, it built up his character and made him a lot tougher,” McCray said of Louisville’s 2-10 season.

I began to see a pattern while speaking with McCray. He was always looking at the big picture from a motivational standpoint. I began to realize his son’s pedigree was in his his blood.

“My son does not scare easy. He does not get discouraged,” McCray said.

In 2019, Abdullah had his best season on paper. He racked up 45 tackles, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, and an interception in Coach Scott Satterfield’s inaugural season with the Cards. There were no hard feelings about the departure of Coach Bobby Petrino, and they welcomed the new staff with open arms.

“The whole staff treats us like family,” McCray said.

I’ve heard that sentiment a time or two.

This season, Abdullah got back to what he knows best: getting after the quarterback. He tallied three sacks, a career best for him.

Looking forward to next season, Abdullah looks to be a leader on and off the field, and his father believes in his son all the way.

“He’s getting better and better all the time,” said McCray.

In what will be a crucial senior season for the Louisville football linebacking Core, Abdullah will be asked to do a lot more. Look for what could be Abdullah’s best season yet for the Cards.