He may be a prop, but he’s a prop who can run, and Muhammed Abdullah’s considerable skill will be on display as the East Cobb Trojan suits up for the USA Rugby South 7s team at the LVI this week.

For Abdullah, who was on the USA U19 roster over the New Year and played for the USA South U19s that won the Rugby Americas North championship last summer, this is just another step on what is becoming an impressive journey.

“The South Program is incredible,” Abdullah told Goff Rugby Report. “The coaches make you enjoy practice and teach you more than just rugby. I give a lot of credit to Mark Williams, RJ [Randall Joseph], and Coach Dan (Pretorius); they have been great role models and taught me so much on and off the field.”

The powerful front-rower has learned he can unleash his skills in the open field, and he’s a big part of the USA South’s plans.

“I give the coaches a lot of credit for developing my game so I can play 7s,” he added. 

But mote than that, 7s or 15s, it’s about chasing the dream in select-side rugby. Not every player has embraced what the USA Rugby South Panthers program is doing, but Abdullah has nothing but good things to say.

“The best decision in my rugby career was playing for the South,” said the Georgia-based player. “I’ve created strong bonds with the kids on the team, even those I met for a short time in a tournament I have kept in contact. Representing the USA is probably the best feeling in the world, and the best part of it is putting my hand on my chest and singing the National Anthem with a pure heart.”