Israel Abanikanda Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Keith Srakocic/AP Photo)

School: Pittsburgh (Junior)

Position: RB

HT: 5’11

WT: 215 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #67

Israel Abanikanda is a former 3-star running back recruit out of Brooklyn, New York. Abanikanda attended Abraham Lincoln High School and made a name for himself in the New York City area. He won the New York State Player of the Year and led the league in rushing. Abanikanda’s father played college football at Georgia Tech, while his brother played at both Buffalo and Temple. He has football in his genetics. Abanikanda received offers to play for schools such as Duke, Cal, Buffalo, and Boston College, but ultimately chose to play football for the Pittsburgh Panthers. As a freshman, Abanikanda was used lightly, but saw his reps increase once his sophomore season began. While he began to become the main workhorse running back in his 2021 season, he truly broke out in his 2022 season. Abanikanda led the ACC in six different statistical categories, while also leading the NCAA with 21 touchdowns scored.

He has one season of being the full-time main weapon in the backfield. He has not taken a beating in the Pittsburgh offense, having fresh legs. Running backs often enter the league in their prime and have shortened careers due to the hits they take and the frequency they have taken them. However, Israel has not taken the same physical toll that other top running backs coming out of college have typically taken. He is a raw running back prospect that shows both tools to help a team right now, as well as obvious room to grow and develop. Abanikanda is fast, plain and simple, the guy can scoot. He is elusive and has a quick acceleration that allows him to accelerate to full speed in a fraction of a second from the mesh point. He may be fast, but he does not sacrifice size. Abanikanda is a dense and strong runner. He can use both speed and physicality to defeat defenses on a weekly basis. He fights for every yard he gets and has a high compete level that is felt on the field. He receives the ball with a smooth process and has a knack for picking up chunk yardage after the catch. His receiving ability makes him a true three-down running back, making him a valuable asset to any offense.

He has not put up consistent numbers as a pass catcher, he has not had a large sample size to prove his abilities, but he has flashed in moments. This is also a factor working against him, while he has flashed as a pass catcher, he still has to prove that he can turn those flashes into consistent production. As a runner, he has trouble navigating traffic and picking the correct gap. Hesitation can be obvious in his thought process when letting the blocks develop in front of him, and he tends to get too eager to run. His eagerness is a blessing and a curse as he can second guess himself and lose the potential for extra yards.

Israel Abanikanda has an interesting skill set that not many others have. His combination of size and skill is eye-popping and he uses both on every snap. Continuing his development and keeping himself on the same trajectory that he is on is most important for Abanikanda. He will turn into a workhorse at the professional level.

Scheme Fit: Zone Rushing Offense

Ideal Role: RB Tandem

Best Team Fits: LAC, NO, KC

Player Comparison: Travis Etienne

Player Grade: 77.0