2023 WorldWide Rams Draft Profile: Israel Abanikanda | Pittsburgh | RB

worldwide rams

Ed "Pi Double I" Henderson

Player Bio: ​Israel Abanikanda attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, NY.
As a senior, he led the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) in rushing and scoring 1,350 yards,25 touchdowns, and eight 2-point conversion runs. He collected 30 tackles and two interceptions as a defensive back. He was named New York's Gatorade Player of the Year. Also, he garnered the New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) Class AA Co-Player of the Year, NYSSWA All-Class AA first-team, Brooklyn Borough Most Valuable Player, New York City Coaches NYC Player of the Year, 2018 American Family Insurance ALL-USA New York Football Team, three-time first team All-PSAL, two-time first-team All-City, two-time Brooklyn Borough "Big 44", National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame 2020 NFF Team of Distinction, Most Valuable Running Back at The Opening New Jersey regional. He was a two-time 100-meter Gold Medalist at the New York City Mayor's Cup Race and 100-meter Bronze Medalist at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Outdoor Track and Field Championship.

SCHOOL:  PITTSBURGH                               |                    CONFERENCE: ACC

CLASS         |       JUNIOR

​HOMETOWN |  BROOKLYN, NY

​
​ HEIGHT                  WEIGHT           
5' 10"                          216 lbs

HANDS                            ARMS
 8¼"                       32"

ISRAEL ABANIKANDA 

RUNNING BACK

DRAFT YEAR
​      2023      
COMBINE INVITE​
​YES

PROJECTED 40 TIME 
4.40
DRAFT GRADE
6.24

accolades

​2022 CBS Sports All-American First-Team
2022 ESPN All-American First-Team
2022 FWAA All-American Second-Team
2022 AP All-American Third-Team
2022 All-ACC First-Team 
2022 Maxwell Award Semifinalist
2022 Walter Camp Award Semifinalist

​COMBINE RESULTS 
40 YD DASH
DNP 
10 SPLIT
DNP
​BENCH PRESS
    DNP    
VERTICAL JUMP 
        DNP        
BROAD JUMP
DNP
3 CONE DRILL
       DNP         
20 YD SHUTTLE
​DNP

PRO DAY RESULTS  
40 YD DASH
4.41 
10 SPLIT
DNP
​BENCH PRESS
    DNP    
VERTICAL JUMP 
        41"        
BROAD JUMP
 DNP
3 CONE DRILL
       DNP         
20 YD SHUTTLE
​DNP

game film
#2 israel abanikanda vs virginia tech (2022)

#2 israel abanikanda
career highlights
pittsburgh panthers

STRENGthS

WEAKNESSES

• He is a well-built running back who runs with excellent lower center gravity. 
  
• He will execute the play design with determination and recognize cutback lanes.
  
• His impressive footwork allows him to run through congested run lanes and stretch the play outside for significant gains. 
  
• He will explode through the holes, keep his leg drive moving when contacted, and run through arm takes.
  
• He will primarily fall forward after the contact, protecting the ball and excellent ball security.
  
• He is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands, especially off screens
  

• Although he has an incredible leg drive, he does not push the pile.
  
• He has taken advantage of big runs after contact but brought down relatively quickly when not at full throttle. 
  
• He has sub-par hands only used for screenplays and will need to develop receiving skills to be an every-down back at the next level.
  
• He needs to develop better pass-protection skills and add more mass to his frame to take on power pass rushers.
  

Draft Projection:  4th -5th Round

NFL Comparison: ​​​Miles Sanders (Carolina Panthers)

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