DEARBORN — The Wayne State University college football program put itself back on the map with a Division-II runner-up performance in 2011, and the university has always had a reputation as a quality school academically. That combination was impossible for Star International Academy’s Yaser Jamal Hamdan to pass up, as the versatile 6’3, 235-pound defensive end officially committed to the Warriors earlier this month. Hamdan racked up an impressive total of 131 tackles last year, almost 15 per game according to MaxPreps.com, while also playing on offense as a center and on special teams as a placekicker and long snapper for Star.

Hamdan

Hamdan will hope to continue showing versatility for the Warriors both on and off the field as he plans to major in pharmacy when he arrives on campus later this year.

“When I first went to campus I felt right at home, the players and coaches are highly experienced and very respectable,” he said.

“They made it seem like it was the best university in the world which I thought it was.”

Hamdan will join Ahmad Leila, an offensive lineman from Fordson High School, who also will head to Wayne State this year for football. Training camp begins in August.

He thanked his family, Rabih Hamdan, and Emad Hamdan for their support in pursuit of his dream.

“I’m so glad for this opportunity and it’s a big deal for me to have a chance to represent our community and Star International Academy,” he said.