Ahmed and Gaskin, NFL Tale of Two Ex-Husky Running Backs

They continue to battle for pro football contracts, roster spots and playing time.

They were 1-2 as University of Washington running backs six years ago, with Salvon Ahmed following Myles Gaskin in that college pecking order. 

Gaskin, the Huskies' all-time leading rusher with 5,323 yards, and Ahmed, his heir apparent in Montlake, are local backs from the Seattle area who are still pursuing NFL aspirations and contracts, running almost neck and neck.

This week, the 5-foot-11, 197-pound Ahmed, who's originally from Kirkland, Washington, signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins with a $1.125 million salary, worth up to $1,252 with incentives.

In January, the 5-foot-10, 199-pound Gaskin, who hails from Lynwood, Washington, agreed to a one-year futures deal with the Minnesota Vikings for the same $1.125 million base salary.

A year ago, these former UW players were teammates in Miami, only the Dolphins opted to keep Ahmed, a four-game starter in 2020, in its stable of rushers in South Brach and let Gaskin, a 17-game starter for them in 2020 and 2021, bounce around the league, effectively flipping the pro football value of these players.

Ahmed spent most of the 2023 season injured and appeared in only 8 games, running just 22 times for 61 yards and a touchdown, for a franchise that overall had one of the NFL's more productive rushing attacks. 

The attraction to Ahmed, who went undrafted when leaving Montlake, is he's versatile coming out of the backfiled. In his four pro seasons, he has rushed for 593 yards and caught 40 passes. 

As a rookie in 2020, Ahmed had his NFL peak moment with a 122-yard rushing output against the New England Patriots in a 22-12 victory.

Former Huskies Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed prayed together as Miami Dolphins during a player injury timeout :: Chris Perrine/USA TODAY Sports

Gaskin, a former seventh-round pick, spent most of last season bouncing between Minnesota's 53-man roster and practice squad, appearing in just two games for the Vikings, exclusively on special teams. Briefly, he also spent time with the Los Angeles Rams and played in one game, on special teams only.

He has 361 career carries for 1,355 yards and 7 touchdowns, along with 101 receptions for 701 yards and 6 scoring catches, all with Miami from 2019-22.

While competing for time and fame in college and into the pros, Gaskin and Ahmed remain close friends and supportive of each other's talents, and share in the common struggle of staying employed in the NFL.

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