A second round draft choice out of Notre Dame in 2007, Victor Abiamiri (pronounced ahb-ee-ah-MEER-ee) brings his brute strength and athleticism to the defensive line. After spending the majority of his rookie campaign learning the nuances of Jim Johnson's scheme, Abiamiri looks for increased playing time in 2008.

2007 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Made his first career start at Was. (11/11)
• Played in his first NFL game vs. Chi. (10/21)

BIRDSEED:

• Is proud to have played high school football at The Gilman School under former Colts All-Pro Joe Ehrmann, whose unconventional coaching philosophy focuses on developing his players into men. "I have the best memories of my high school experience under Ehrmann," said Abiamiri. "I will carry those with me for life. He was all about building men and creating brotherhood. It was more than just playing football; it was about loving the guy next to you. He taught the importance of being a good friend, a good citizen, and one day being a good husband and a good father." Abiamiri highly recommends a book written about Ehrmann called "Season of Life," by Jeffrey Marx, a former Colts ball boy who was there during Ehrmann's playing days
• Worked hard to improve his pass rush skills in the 2008 offseason by focusing on his technique. "The difference between your rookie year and your second year is huge. Coming in as a rookie, I worked hard to get better at the combine drills. This past offseason, I was really able to take the things I had learned as a rookie and work to improve my technique."
• His first job was with an investment business office in Towson, MD, where he worked as a summer intern for his HS football coach, Joe Ehrmann, following his sophomore year. Has been interested in the financial field ever since, and spent the next 6 summers in various financial internships. "I'm really into the stock market right now and trying to set myself up for life after football. It's definitely something I am interested in pursuing after my playing days are over."

PERSONAL:

• Resides in Philadelphia
• His parents, Peter and Rita, were both born in Nigeria and came to the United States in the late 1970s. They still have a house there and occasionally go back, although Victor has not been there since high school. "Last time I went there, I brought a football with me and the kids started to kick it around like a soccer ball."
• His father, Peter, is a social worker in Baltimore and his mother, Rita, is a nurse. "They really love helping other people and being involved in the community, which is something they definitely passed on to my brothers and me. I am always looking for opportunities to help out and give back."
• Has two older brothers, Rob and Paschal, who both played football at Maryland. Rob spent time on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad and played for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europa in 2007, and now works for an insurance company in Baltimore. Paschal currently works for a credit card fraud company, also in Baltimore. "My brothers are the ones who got me into football and motivated me to keep getting better. When I saw them excelling and getting awards and all that stuff, that motivated me to want to do the same thing."
• Earned first-team All-America honors as a senior at The Gilman School in Baltimore, after leading the team with 52 tackles, 17 TFLs and 12 sacks. Was named the defensive POY by the Baltimore Sun in both his junior and senior seasons
• Also played basketball and ran track in high school. His best events were the shot put, discus, and triple jump
• During the 2008 offseason, worked with his brother, Rob, who recently started a personal training program in Baltimore called Elite Edge Sports, which helps to train kids of all ages to become better athletes
• Hobbies include playing basketball, traveling and golf. "I would love to go to Europe at some point. It's always cool to see what the world is like outside of what you're used to."
• Earned a degree in finance
• Full name: Victor Ikechukwu Abiamiri

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS:
A model of consistency on the Notre Dame defensive line, Abiamiri was named the school's defensive lineman of the year for the second consecutive season as a senior, after leading the team in sacks (10.5) and TFLs (15). His sack total in 2006 ranked 2nd on the school's all-time single-season list. In 49 career games, registered 128 tackles, 40 TFLs, 20.5 sacks, 21 QB hurries and 3 forced fumbles.