Muhammad ready to see playing time
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE
He endured long days at the student medical center, five-hour stints with an IV line piercing his arm and Prednisone coursing through his veins.
Nebraska sophomore Wali Muhammad, a right defensive end with a knack for hunting down quarterbacks, had to stay out of the sun last August because the heat somehow "messed up" his medication, Muhammad said.
So forget playing; Muhammad couldn't even watch practice, thanks to a spinal condition — "transverse myelitis," he said — that ended up sidelining him for the entire 2003 season.
The 6-foot-1, 245-pound Muhammad said Wednesday he's recovered completely. Now, he's thinking big.
"I just need a good birthday," he said, referring to Saturday, when he turns 21.
Saturday also happens to be the day of Nebraska's annual Red-White game at Memorial Stadium. It'll be the first opportunity for Husker fans to watch Muhammad, who arrived last summer with some fanfare after recording a remarkable 22 sacks in 2002 at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.
"I just want to fly around and play all my techniques, and try not to make any busts," Muhammad said.
Muhammad's been anything but a bust this spring. He's drawn praise from new Nebraska defensive line coach John Blake, who plans to turn Muhammad loose in obvious passing situations in the Huskers' nickel package.
Blake said Muhammad is quick and plays with a "high motor," meaning Blake likes Muhammad's tenacity. Blake said Muhammad needs to add size and strength.
Ahead of Muhammad on the depth chart is 6-6, 270-pound sophomore Adam Carriker, widely regarded as one of the team's best defenders.
Muhammad has no quarrel about his backup status. To be sure, it has no apparent impact on his confidence.
"One of my things is, my coach wants me to hit the tackle, then go run the ball down," Muhammad said. "Sometimes I'm like, ‘I'm just going to go get it.' My first two steps are so fast that it's too late (to hit the tackle first)."
Muhammad, a native of Bloomfield, N.J., plans to head home at semester's end.
"I got to get some money, get some presents," he said.
He'll also get in some 5 a.m. workouts with his father, a former professional boxer.
Wali Muhammad Sr. was talented and tough enough to fight for the USBA cruiserweight title in 1989 (he lost to Jeff Lampkin by technical knockout in the 12th round). Muhammad retired in 1991 with a record of 12-3, including eight knockouts.
The younger Muhammad on Wednesday glanced down at a bystander's watch. It was about 6:45 p.m.
"He probably just got done running," Muhammad said of his father. "Probably five miles."
The younger Muhammad's respect for his father is obvious. Indeed, Wali Muhammad Sr. helped his son through last season's struggles.
So did Muhammad's roommates, fellow Huskers David Horne, Benard Thomas, Fabian Washington and Ronnie Smith.
"I really didn't even like being on the sideline for games," Muhammad said.
"People would see me, and I'm sure they'd think, ‘Damn, I thought this kid was supposed to tear it up for us.' You know what I'm saying?"
Muhammad, somewhat bored without football early last fall, bought a pit bull and named him "Frisco," after one of former Husker defensive coordinator Bo Pelini's special defenses.
Muhammad said he misses Pelini, who was replaced along with the rest of the Nebraska defensive staff after Bill Callahan took over as head coach on Jan. 9.
Although he misses Pelini, Muhammad thinks having a batch of new coaches is blessing for his career.
"I get a fresh start," Muhammad said. "They don't know me and I don't know them. I'm going to show them what I have. Just get after it."
Through 13 spring practices, Muhammad apparently has shown plenty. Whether Muhammad can approach the effectiveness of pass-rush demon Demorrio Williams remains to be seen.
Williams, a weakside linebacker who played defensive end in passing situations, finished 2003 with a team-best 11 sacks, seven more than the second-best Husker. Williams is expected to be the first Husker selected in next week's NFL Draft.
"Demorrio, he was something special," Muhammad said. "People thought I'd come in last season and be that pass rusher. When I went down, Demorrio had to step in and do it."
Now, after suffering through last season, Muhammad gets his chance to shine.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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