BREAKING: Arkansas Signs Multi-Time All-American & 7:42 (3k) Runner Yaseen Abdalla

Donald Speas
Jul 31, 2024
2 min read

Analysis written by Donny Speas, additional edits & commentary via Garrett Zatlin

Earlier today, Arkansas announced that they have signed two-time cross country All-American, Yaseen Abdalla from the transfer portal. According to TFRRS, Abdalla will have one remaining season of eligibility in cross country as well as one remaining season of eligibility for indoor track.

Abdalla was one of the top distance prospects to enter the transfer portal earlier this summer, possessing strong PRs (especially over 3000 meters) and great cross country scoring potency. The newest Razorback's personal bests stand at 3:57 (mile), 7:42 (3k), 13:33 (5k) and 28:33 (10k). Abdalla also anchored the Texas men to a DMR national title back in 2022.

On the grass, the former Volunteer was a two-time All-American, finishing in 33rd place and 32nd place on the national stage. His ability to consistently emerge as a top-tier low-stick during the regular season has also been plenty evident throughout his career. Last fall, for instance, Abdalla finished runner-up to now-teammate Ben Shearer at Pre-Nationals.

Abdalla is currently ranked at TSR #28 in our NCAA Preseason D1 XC Top 50 Individual Rankings.

While many schools had all been floated by TSR as potential fits for Abdalla, it's now easy to see why Arkansas makes perfect sense for an athlete with no remaining outdoor track eligibility and is presumably looking to go all-in on cross country.

On paper, it looks like the Arkansas Razorbacks have assembled a cross country super team by utilizing the transfer portal. Earlier this summer, they signed Brian Masai, Timothy Chesondin, Camren Fischer and Dawson Welch. Those first two names hold All-American potential with Chesondin placing 36th at last year's national meet.

Arkansas' quartet of distance running signees from earlier this year

Last fall, the Razorbacks achieved a fantastic 4th place podium finish at the 2023 NCAA XC Championships. Not only that, but they return their top-three scorers from that group. Those men include Patrick Kiprop (7th at the national meet), Kirami Yego (13th at the national meet) and Ben Shearer (42nd at the national meet and the 2023 Pre-Nationals champion).

And for good measure, Arkansas added 13:07 (5k) man Peter Maru to their team during the indoor track season. However, recent sourcing has suggested to TSR that Maru may not be return to the Razorbacks this fall (although that has yet to be confirmed).

Abdalla could be a pivotal name who makes the Arkansas men even more competitive with Oklahoma State later this fall. And while the Cowboys will still be favored for NCAA gold in November, the overwhelming firepower of this Razorback squad has extended well beyond their original top-three from last year.

That, in turn, has made the men's national team title race much more interesting.

Where Would You Rank the Arkansas XC Men For This Upcoming Fall Season?