I’m a big fan of this addition for Kennesaw State, and it’s because of the floor here. Abdul-Salaam is a long, well-built player with the play strength and hand fighting skills at the point of attack to control the point and win. His motor runs hot, too, working hard to free himself if he can’t win immediately. At this level of ball, I would focus on kids with a high floor and someone that can be trusted to play competitive ball when in the game, and that’s exactly what I think Abdul-Salaam will do, even if he doesn’t light up the stat sheet.

Abdul-Salaam is an unsung hero on a star-studded McEachern team. He is committed to Kennesaw State. Abdul-Salaam is a rock-solid edge defender with manipulative length and room for even more play strength. Sets the edge by pressing tackles, meeting pulling guards with pop, and widening out to cast a net. He uses his hands and arms really well at the point of attack, helping him shed. Will need to finish around the football more consistently, but he rallies hard and has the general athletic scaffold that GO5 teams are looking for, and has multi-year starter upside.

Zakir Abdul-Salaam Zakir Abdul-Salaam 6'3" | 220 lbs | EDGE McEachern | 2026 State GA is an overlooked, but productive player in his own right for McEachern. Here is a recent note from PRZ Scout Matt DeBary:

“A disruptive EDGE defender in Cobb County who plays with big-time effort, Abdul-Salaam is a big defender with a strong 6-foot-3 220-pound frame. He shows quick hands, plays with leverage, and does a good job of chasing down the ball-carrier. He play hard, brings lots of energy and knows how to set the edge against the run. He plays his gaps correctly and found a way to redirect running backs on a consistent basis. He’s one of the region’s top EDGE defenders and is in store for a giant season final season this fall. He flashed D1-potential and could be tough to stop this fall if he continues to progress and plays with max-effort.”

A disruptive EDGE defender in Cobb County who plays with big-time effort, Abdul-Salaam is a big defender with a strong 6-foot-3 220-pound frame. He shows quick hands, plays with leverage, and does a good job of chasing down the ball-carrier. He play hard, brings lots of energy and knows how to set the edge against the run. He plays his gaps correctly and found a way to redirect running backs on a consistent basis. He’s one of the region’s top EDGE defenders and is in store for a giant season final season this fall. He flashed D1-potential and could be tough to stop this fall if he continues to progress and plays with max-effort.

Zakir Abdul-Salaam Zakir Abdul-Salaam 6'3" | 220 lbs | EDGE McEachern | 2026 State GA is a well-developed EDGE prospect with several FBS and P4 offers under his belt. He comes in around 6’2 230 with a stout build and long arms. He consistently finds and stuns the chest of blockers. He is strong enough to rip through them as well. He is an outstanding edge setter, cutting off angles with lateral patience and pushing blockers backward. He settles down as a tackler and uses his length to fully wrap up ball carriers. He projects more as a run-stuffer, but he does throw subtle head nods and hesitation moves as a pass rusher to deceive blockers when getting after the QB. He has decent closing speed to accompany that as well. Zakir Abdul-Salaam Zakir Abdul-Salaam 6'3" | 220 lbs | EDGE McEachern | 2026 State GA is a high-floor prospect who will be ready to go physically early into his college career.