Diaby To Senior Bowl, Abdullah Leader In QB Pressures

Senior defensive lineman Yaya Diaby has accepted an invitation to the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl is held in Mobile, Alabama every year and has been widely considered as “the preeminent college football All-Star game and the first stage in the NFL Draft process.” The chances of Diaby not playing on Sundays is slim to none.

With his 6-foot-4 frame, he has wreaked havoc on opposing offenses his entire career at the University of Louisville. Particularly in regards to this year, his senior year, the Atlanta, Georgia native has recorded six and a half sacks for a loss of 37 yards, the most yards lost in all of his seasons at Louisville.

Diaby has been a staple on Bryan Brown’s defense for years alongside fellow senior defensive weapon, linebacker Yasir Abdullah. The 6-foot-1 native of Miramar, Florida has recently been recognized by the Collegiate Division of Pro Football Focus for his pressures on the quarterback throughout this season. Currently, Abdullah is tied with three other players at 39 pressures on the quarterback, which is good enough to be in the Top 10 in all of college football.

The combination of Yaya Diaby and Yasir Abdullah chasing opposing quarterbacks has been a joy to watch for Louisville fans this season. Diaby’s aformentioned productivity on the field has been accompanied by an incredible stat line from Abdullah. The Carol City High School product has recorded four and a half sacks for a total loss of 37 yards, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles.

These two have been an impressive tag team coming off the line and the fact these two will no longer be in Cardinal uniforms next season is disheartening. But both of them will continue to make Louisville proud as they continue to pursue their dreams after their collegiate careers.