[1] In 2013, Abdullah rushed for 1,690 yards, fourth most for a single season in University of Nebraska history.

[2] He decided not to enter the NFL draft at the end of his junior year, but instead to return for his senior season.

[7] Also a track star at Homewood, he ran a career-best time of 11.15 seconds in the 100 meters at the 2011 AHSAA 6A Section 3 Championships, placing 7th in the prelims.

[9] Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, however, while making no guarantees, told him that they would put him in a position that would maximize his talent.

[10] Abdullah's total kickoff return yards broke the previous Nebraska record.

The ten 100-yard games during the regular season placed him fourth in Nebraska school history.

[29] For the season, he rushed for an average of 130.7 yards per game, which ranked him second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally.

[31] After the Gator Bowl, Abdullah considered whether he should enter the 2014 NFL draft as an underclassman.

[32] On January 9, 2014, he decided to stay at Nebraska for his senior season, stating that I have come to realize that life is bigger than football ... and that my chances of long-term success in life will be greatly enhanced by completing my college education.

[35] In late September 2014, Eric Galko and Ian Wharton of Sporting News analyzed his running attributes.

He runs very low, below the pad level of defenders, making him very difficult to tackle.

These running characteristics together with his burst, shiftiness in space, and ability to keep his legs moving when hit, make him "the most well-rounded tailback in the country".

[36] In early September 2014, Nebraska sent out AA batteries to members of the sports news media and created a website for Abdullah to promote his Heisman campaign.

[37] Abdullah and 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston trained together at the same gym in Birmingham, Alabama.

[38] In December 2014, Abdullah received the Senior CLASS Award for the most outstanding senior college football player in Division I based on classroom performance, community contributions, personal character, and athletic achievements.

Players were selected based on votes from FBS football coaches, media, and fans.

He caught 3 passes for 96 yards and his 58-yard run after his last catch with 20 seconds left in the game put Nebraska up by a touchdown and was the game-winning score.

[48] On September 22, 2014, Abdullah was Big Ten co-offensive player for week four, sharing honors with Melvin Gordon.

[60] On Monday, October 27, Abdullah was named Big 10 offensive player of the week for the fourth time in the 2014 season.

[61] He named to the Paul Hornung Award honor roll for the third time during the 2014 season.

[63] Abdullah ran for only one yard on six carries before he was injured in the first quarter in a 35–14 win over the Purdue Boilermakers.

[64] Pelini told reporters after the game that Abdullah had suffered a "mild" MCL sprain and bruise when he tried to recover a fumbled snap by the quarter back on a fourth down at the Purdue one-yard line.

[77] Abdullah began his rookie season as the Lions' third running back on their depth chart behind veterans Joique Bell and Theo Riddick.

[78] The following week, he had his first career start against the Minnesota Vikings and finished the 16–26 loss with six carries for nine yards.

[82] He finished his rookie season with a total of 143 carries, 597 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 25 receptions, 183 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown while starting nine games and playing in all 16 games.

[87] On September 18, 2017, against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, Abdullah had 17 carries for a then career-high 86 yards in the 24–10 victory.

[89] In Weeks 9–10, he scored a touchdown in consecutive games against the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns.

[93] Abdullah entered the 2018 season second on the depth chart behind veteran LeGarrette Blount.

[107] In the 2022 season, he appeared in 17 games and had 25 receptions for 211 yards and a receiving touchdown to go with some kickoff return duties.

He prays five times a day and fasts during Ramadan, including during football season.