Abrams was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1967. He attended Henry Ford High School in Detroit.[1] He was an All-state selection as a senior. He made the honor roll for 8 straight semesters. He also practiced track.
As a sophomore, he was named the starter at right outside linebacker in the fourth game of the season. He started nine games (seven at outside linebacker, two at inside linebacker) for the 1987 Michigan Wolverines football team.[3]
As a redshirt junior, he started all 12 games at outside linebacker for the 1988 Michigan team that compiled a 9-2-1 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated USC in the 1989 Rose Bowl, and finished the season ranked #4 in the final AP Poll.[4]
In his final year at Michigan, he again started all 12 games at outside linebacker for the 1989 Michigan team that compiled a 10-2 record, won a second consecutive Big Ten championship, lost to USC in the 1990 Rose Bowl, and finished the season ranked #7 in the final AP Poll.[5] Against the University of Maryland, he made 8 tackles, 3 sacks, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.
On September 1, 1992, he was claimed by the Dallas Cowboys to provide depth on the special teams units. He had 4 special teams tackles and was cut on October 6.[11] He was later signed by the Cleveland Browns where he played in three games. On November 9, he was claimed off waivers by the Giants after Taylor was lost for the year.[9][12] On November 21, he was released to make room for Ken Willis.[13]
In April 1993, he was re-signed by the Cowboys. He joined the Minnesota Vikings for the last four games. The next year, he appeared in all 16 games for the Vikings as a backup, while leading the team with 28 special teams tackles.[1][9]