7/11/03 - The Bengals today signed LB Khalid Abdullah of Mars Hill College, the team's fifth-round choice in the 2003 Draft, to a three-year contract.
Abdullah (6-2, 227) was an NCAA Division II All-American last season. His career totals include 28 career sacks, and a pair of 100-yard interception returns.
"Khalid has speed and athleticism that make him an attractive prospect," said Bengals defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. "In the NFL, you put a premium on guys who can run and shed blockers, and he's proven he can do that, even though he played at a smaller college. He can chase people down and make tackles, and we think he can help us right away on special teams."
Abdullah is the fourth of nine Bengals draft picks to sign for 2003. Also signed are first-round pick Carson Palmer (QB, Southern Cal), sixth-rounder Langston Moore (DT, South Carolina) and seventh-rounder Scott Kooistra (OT, North Carolina State).
