“All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct results of his own thoughts.”- James Allen 1903
-A flashback to September 2, 2021.
Through two and a half quarters the Golden Gophers had gone toe-to-toe with Buckeyes in the opening game of the season. #24 in the Minnesota home Maroon and Gold was the primary reason why. Only 2 1/2 quarters of the game had past and #24 had amassed 163 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. The Buckeye team that had contributing players such as CJ Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave were performing well, but through 2 1/2 quarters were unable to separate themselves from their host. The reason, Mohamed Ibrahim. (eye-bruh-heem)
Unfortunately, those numbers would be the final stats for the season for this explosive player. Midway through the third quarter Mo went down with a lower leg injury that kept him out for the remainder of the season. Ohio State won the game 45-31. Stroud threw 4 touchdowns: 2 to Olave and 1 to Garret Wilson, but no one was more impressive than the 5′ 7/ 203 pound Minnesota running back. He was carrying the entire offense on his back.
I mention Ibrahim because there have been many players that have impressed me thus far this season in ways that Mohamed did back in 2021. It’s here that I’ll spend a moment listing them in no particular order. Some will have explanations but not all.
Impressive Players 2025:
- NEB LB Vincent Shavers Sophomore
- 12:34 3rd Q: Fought off the block, exploded towards the ball carrier, and with perfect technique wrapped both arms around his waist and drug him to the ground. An excellent play. #9 is explosive.
- Michigan CB Jayden Sanders Freshman 6’1/ 193
- McNelly Freshman of the Year Award Watchlist
- Maryland DB Messiah Delhomme Freshman
- McNelly Freshman of the year Award watchlist
- Maryland LB/ DE Sidney Stewart Freshman
- Maryland DE Dillon Fontus Junior
- Maryland MLB Daniel Wingate Junior
- Maryland WR/ slot Octavian Smith Senior
- Washington EDGE Zach Durfee 6’5/ 258
- Lightning quick first step
- Washington RB Jonah Coleman 5’9/ 225
- Leads FBS in Touchdowns (10)
- Washington RB Adam Mohammed 6’0/ 220
- Washington St RB Kirby Vorhees Sophomore 5’11/ 208
- Notre Dame RB Jeremiah Love
- Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price
- Memphis S Kamari Sanders
- McNelly Award watchlist
- BYU CB Evan Johnson
- McNelly Award watchlist
- TENN CB Ty Redmond Freshman
- McNelly Freshman of the Year Award watchlist
There are far more that have impressed but this is the list of players that have made an impression me as Mohamed did back in 2021.
You know, just for fun let’s continue looking at the totality of Ibrahim’s career.
- 2018- as a redshirt freshman: 202 rushes 1160 yards 9 touchdowns
- 2019- 114 carries, 604 yards, 7 TD’s
- 2020- 201 carries, 1076 yards, 15 TD’s
- 3rd team All-American
- Big Ten Running Back of the year
- 1st Team all-Big Ten
- 2021- 30 carries, 163 yards, 2 TD’s
- 2022- 320 carries, 1665 yards, 20 TD’s
- 1st Team All-Big10
- Totals: 4,668 yards, 53 TD’s in college
He went as an undrafted free agent to Detroit in 2023 and was picked up and released by Minnesota in 2024. Currently, Ibrahim is coaching the running backs for Coach Kenni Burns at Kent St. At 27, he’s still giving his all to football.
Kent St plays at Oklahoma on 10/4, and the rematch of Minnesota and Ohio St will be played on the same day in primetime.
Good luck to all of the young men and I hope you enjoyed this briefest of flashes through Mohamed Ibrahim’s career. On September 2, 2021, he was quite inspiring to watch against such a formidable opponent. College Football is the best. Guys like Ibrahim are the reason why. I’m excited to see who impresses during this massive college football weekend.
It’s Friday Morning. Overcast, warm, and calm. Good gracious, let’s play football.
Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’
Whit W.