2015 Ball State Football Recruiting: LB Abdallah Jaffal Makes Verbal Commitment to Cardinals

Ball State swiped another recruit from Western Michigan last week, adding Abdallah Jaffal to an impressive and growing 2015 class.

Abdallah Jaffal

Dearborn, MI

Status: Verbally committed to Ball State

Commitment Date: July 31st, 2014

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 210 lbs.

Position(s): OLB, S

High School: Fordson H.S.

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May 22nd Brian Persky talked with Jaffal about his verbal commitment to Western Michigan.  Today, Jaffal plans to join the Cardinals, joining James Gilbert in committing to the Cardinals after formally being committed to WMU.  He took to Twitter to announce his intentions.

The Cardinals hit it big in scoring Jaffal.  The 6-foot 210 pound outside linebacker from Dearborn, Michigan had been projected to play outside linebacker or even safety for P.J. Fleck's Broncos.  At Ball State he will be part of a team that is increasingly focused on defense, particularly with the departures of Keith Wenning and Willie Snead last season and the graduation of Jahwan Edwards after the 2014 campaign.  Jaffal talked with Scout about why he chose the Cardinals.

"The campus tour was outstanding.  Getting to see the academics and how close everything is!  Also it's a great program and I felt I would fit in well."

In addition to Ball State and Western Michigan, Jaffal received interest from Michigan State, Akron, Cincinnati, and Purdue.  247Sports ranks him as the number 28 outside linebacker in the state of Michigan.

While he's smaller, Jaffal is bound to remind Cardinals fans of Ben Ingle when it comes to athleticism, and hurrying to the ball to make plays.  Jaffal flies around the field, an attribute that's necessary for any defense that competes in the scoreboard shattering Mid-American Conference.

"I'm physical, athletic, light on my feet," Jaffal said. "I have great instincts. I like to hit and don't shy away from contact."

Jaffal plays big time high school football in the state of Michigan.  The Fordson Tractors have made seven trips to the state championship game and have won more league championships than any team in the Wayne Athletic Conference.  Jaffal certainly has set his sights high when it comes to the upcoming season.

"I'm trying to lead the state in tackles and lead my team to a state championship," he said. "We have a lot of talent and depth, we just need leaders."

Go ahead and take care of business.  Then hustle to Muncie, so we can work on going right back to Michigan for Decembers to come.