By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Get used to hearing the names Khalid Abdullah, Luke and Mars Hill during the next few years.

Abdullah, an undersized linebacker with a short nickname from a small liberal arts college in North Carolina, could become a household word around here.

The Bengals' fifth-round draft choice, Abdullah led the team with 19 tackles in four preseason games and has been described by coach Marvin Lewis as one of the top three or four special-teams performers.

"His understanding of football and the discipline of football at this level had to come a long way, and it has come light years," Lewis said.

Abdullah, at 24, is mature enough to know he's only as good as his last play on the field.

"I'm a perfectionist," he said. "Even if I were to have 17 tackles in one game, I still wouldn't be happy. It might look good in the game, but when I go back and watch film, I see the stuff I miss."

Abdullah didn't miss much at Mars Hill, where he was named a Division II All-American in 2002. He had 98 tackles - 17 for loss - and five sacks.

Brother of former Browns linebacker Rahim Abdullah, Khalid made a good showing at the NFL's scouting combine at Indianapolis. The Bengals used the 136th overall pick on the linebacker, who coaches said could make an immediate contribution on special teams with his speed and strength.

Abdullah's Mars Hill T-shirts were a popular conversation starter during training camp.

The school of 1,224 students is named for a town that's just 500 people larger. About 20 miles from Asheville, N.C., the town of Mars Hill takes its name from a location in Athens, Greece, where St. Paul delivered an address to the men of the city.

Abdullah was the first player from Mars Hill College drafted by an NFL team since running back/punter Jeff Davis went to the Washington Redskins in the 17th round in 1973.

"The thing that he's done is run around and played football and made plays," Lewis said of Abdullah. "And that part is hard to coach. He's taking his opportunities and making the most of them."

Lewis also likes how Abdullah has made special teams his priority.

"He's gotten better at it every week," Lewis said "He knows why he's here. That's good, because, when you go to a small school, there isn't much (emphasis) on that."

Lewis also felt good enough about Abdullah's ability as a 229-pound linebacker to release two proven NFL linebackers - Steve Foley and Armegis Spearman - Sunday. Abdullah is now behind only starter Brian Simmons at weak-side linebacker.

Lewis is happy with Abdullah as a draft choice, and happy that he has the simple nickname of Luke - put on him by an eighth-grade classmate who said he looked like rapper Luther "Luke Skywalker" Campbell of 2 Live Crew.

"It's a lot easier for me to say," Lewis said of Abdullah's moniker. "I say his name a lot, so I needed something quick."

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