Senior Abasi Salimu anchors Nicholls’ offensive line from his position at left tackle, where he must protect the quarterback’s blind side.
The Los Angeles, Calif. native joined the Colonels football team last season after transferring from San José State, and he quickly solidified himself as a stalwart for the offensive line. After a junior season where he was named Southland Conference Honorable Mention, Salimu is looking to finish his career at Nicholls on a high note.
Q: Why did you decide on Nicholls?
A: I had a few connections here. I talked to them and decided to come here.
Q: Left tackle is the most important position on the offensive line. How do you deal with the pressure of anchoring it?
A: I have confidence in my technique and the coaches. Whatever they tell me to do, I do exactly what they tell me. As long as I do that, I feel confident in what I’m doing.
Q:  What players have you modeled your game after?
A: I try to watch a little bit of everybody. Mix it up a little bit, you know. I watch Michael Oher, Jake Long [and] Ryan Clady a little bit to see what they do, and whatever works for them I just try to do it myself.
Q: Describe being a part of one of Nicholls football’s biggest wins against Western Michigan.
A:  It was huge. It was a very emotionally tiring. It was very exciting. We were very happy. We felt like we deserved it. We had a good week of preparation. And all the hard work we’d been putting in, it felt like it finally paid off.
Q: How does your play so far this season improve your professional chances?
A: I just try to do the best I can and just let the scouts be the judge of that. Just do whatever I can.
Q: After transferring from San José State, what was the most difficult thing to get used to in Thibodaux?
A: The main things were the culture and the weather, but other than that it was a smooth transition.
Q: What are your expectations for the rest of the season?
A: I expect [to accomplish] everything [that are] our team goals. We want to win the conference, we want to win Louisiana and just try to do our best.