Ahmed Has Found Passion In More Than Just Football
October 17, 2019 | Football
By Madison MacPhee
After not playing in the game against BYU, eyes were focused on Salvon Ahmed coming into the USC contest. If eyes weren't focused on him then, they are now after his 89-yard game-changing touchdown run. You could say he is back and more ready than ever.
"I feel good," Ahmed shared. "I wouldn't have come back if I wasn't ready so, yeah, I'm good to go."
The junior tailback out of Kirkland, Wash., set a career-high with 153 yards on 17 carries and his 89-yard scamper was the fifth longest in UW history. Ahmed has high expectations for this season and has already put in a lot of work to get to where he is.
At the start of the season, many wondered how the Huskies would replace the production of UW's all-time leading rusher, Myles Gaskin. The group of Ahmed, Sean McGrew and Richard Newton may have been masked behind the large shadow of Gaskin to begin the year, but each has emerged and contributed through the first half of the season. In the process, Ahmed has emerged as the leading torch bearer at running back.
"I just want to continue doing what I'm doing," Ahmed said. "My goal is five yards every carry. The big ones will come, but I try to just focus on getting the first downs and being productive for my team. It was me showing what I can do and what I am capable of, but it comes back to what we are capable of as a team. We are capable of those big plays."
Ahmed is starting to come into more of a leadership role on the offense. He enjoys mentoring and guiding the younger players on the team. He also emphasized that a lot of leadership opportunities present themselves not just on the football field but in life outside of the game.
"I see myself as a leader," Ahmed admits. "I am someone the team can trust. I try and keep consistent with my game plan, on and off the field."
Ahmed doesn't show all his talents solely on the football field either. When he is not at practice or in the gym, you can find him in the recording studio making music. Over the summer, Ahmed put together a rap album with his friends entitled 'A Safehouse Summer'. The album consists of six original songs that Ahmed wrote and recorded.
"It is something I have been passionate about for my whole life," Ahmed shared. "My dad really got me into music. My favorite artist is Tupac. I have him tattooed on my arm, and I have Nipsey Hussle tattooed on my leg. Those are two people that have been influential in my life, and their music has really impacted me."
Music is a huge part of Ahmed's life and the album was a passion project that took a lot of time, effort, and talent, just like when he is playing football. Ahmed is very committed in every aspect of his life which leaves little free time in his schedule. However, Ahmed enjoys every minute of what he does on and off the field.
"When it comes to making music, myself, my best friends, and I started rapping in high school and now I keep making music with them," Ahmed said. "We put an album together this summer. That is all I was doing all summer. I would go to practice, work out, then go to the studio for eight hours a day. I would hang out there all day, making music, making beats."
Along with football and music, his passions extend to the classroom. As an education major, Ahmed is taking advantage of the opportunities UW presents and wants to give back to his community in the form of teaching, coaching, or counseling.
"I want to be an advisor or counselor for middle school students," Ahmed said. "I want to help kids who don't come from a background of education, if their parents didn't go to college, or something like that, so that is what I want to do."
Working with kids around the middle school age is an influential time that comes with big responsibility, but it is a challenge Ahmed is ready to take on. Whatever role he plays, Ahmed is excited to make a difference in young lives.
Ahmed realizes that there is life beyond football. He has his goals set and there is nothing in the way to stop him from accomplishing those goals. Ahmed credits where he is today on his support system coming from his family.
"My Grandpa has had the biggest impact on my life and career," Ahmed said while starting to smile. "He played running back, that is why I wear the number 26. He has always been there for me, supporting me, and teaching me the ropes."
From excelling on the field, creating music, and dedicating himself to his education, Ahmed is a grounded and an influential part of the Huskies' offense and University of Washington community. This community is a place Ahmed wants to give back to one day in the form of educating and mentoring kids.
"Football obviously isn't going to go on forever," Ahmed said. "So it is important to make connections. We are at a great university, one of the best in the world, so making connections outside of football is really important and after that you'll be built for life."
Ahmed has been stepping into a pivotal role on the Huskies' offense this season, seemingly getting better with each game. After finally getting to show off his speed and some of what he can do, it is clear that he has a bright future ahead, whether that be on the football field, in the music studio, or in the classroom.
After not playing in the game against BYU, eyes were focused on Salvon Ahmed coming into the USC contest. If eyes weren't focused on him then, they are now after his 89-yard game-changing touchdown run. You could say he is back and more ready than ever.
"I feel good," Ahmed shared. "I wouldn't have come back if I wasn't ready so, yeah, I'm good to go."
The junior tailback out of Kirkland, Wash., set a career-high with 153 yards on 17 carries and his 89-yard scamper was the fifth longest in UW history. Ahmed has high expectations for this season and has already put in a lot of work to get to where he is.
At the start of the season, many wondered how the Huskies would replace the production of UW's all-time leading rusher, Myles Gaskin. The group of Ahmed, Sean McGrew and Richard Newton may have been masked behind the large shadow of Gaskin to begin the year, but each has emerged and contributed through the first half of the season. In the process, Ahmed has emerged as the leading torch bearer at running back.
"I just want to continue doing what I'm doing," Ahmed said. "My goal is five yards every carry. The big ones will come, but I try to just focus on getting the first downs and being productive for my team. It was me showing what I can do and what I am capable of, but it comes back to what we are capable of as a team. We are capable of those big plays."
Ahmed is starting to come into more of a leadership role on the offense. He enjoys mentoring and guiding the younger players on the team. He also emphasized that a lot of leadership opportunities present themselves not just on the football field but in life outside of the game.
"I see myself as a leader," Ahmed admits. "I am someone the team can trust. I try and keep consistent with my game plan, on and off the field."
Ahmed doesn't show all his talents solely on the football field either. When he is not at practice or in the gym, you can find him in the recording studio making music. Over the summer, Ahmed put together a rap album with his friends entitled 'A Safehouse Summer'. The album consists of six original songs that Ahmed wrote and recorded.
"It is something I have been passionate about for my whole life," Ahmed shared. "My dad really got me into music. My favorite artist is Tupac. I have him tattooed on my arm, and I have Nipsey Hussle tattooed on my leg. Those are two people that have been influential in my life, and their music has really impacted me."
Music is a huge part of Ahmed's life and the album was a passion project that took a lot of time, effort, and talent, just like when he is playing football. Ahmed is very committed in every aspect of his life which leaves little free time in his schedule. However, Ahmed enjoys every minute of what he does on and off the field.
"When it comes to making music, myself, my best friends, and I started rapping in high school and now I keep making music with them," Ahmed said. "We put an album together this summer. That is all I was doing all summer. I would go to practice, work out, then go to the studio for eight hours a day. I would hang out there all day, making music, making beats."
Along with football and music, his passions extend to the classroom. As an education major, Ahmed is taking advantage of the opportunities UW presents and wants to give back to his community in the form of teaching, coaching, or counseling.
"I want to be an advisor or counselor for middle school students," Ahmed said. "I want to help kids who don't come from a background of education, if their parents didn't go to college, or something like that, so that is what I want to do."
Working with kids around the middle school age is an influential time that comes with big responsibility, but it is a challenge Ahmed is ready to take on. Whatever role he plays, Ahmed is excited to make a difference in young lives.
Ahmed realizes that there is life beyond football. He has his goals set and there is nothing in the way to stop him from accomplishing those goals. Ahmed credits where he is today on his support system coming from his family.
"My Grandpa has had the biggest impact on my life and career," Ahmed said while starting to smile. "He played running back, that is why I wear the number 26. He has always been there for me, supporting me, and teaching me the ropes."
From excelling on the field, creating music, and dedicating himself to his education, Ahmed is a grounded and an influential part of the Huskies' offense and University of Washington community. This community is a place Ahmed wants to give back to one day in the form of educating and mentoring kids.
"Football obviously isn't going to go on forever," Ahmed said. "So it is important to make connections. We are at a great university, one of the best in the world, so making connections outside of football is really important and after that you'll be built for life."
Ahmed has been stepping into a pivotal role on the Huskies' offense this season, seemingly getting better with each game. After finally getting to show off his speed and some of what he can do, it is clear that he has a bright future ahead, whether that be on the football field, in the music studio, or in the classroom.
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