Inside The Panthers

Israel Abanikanda Turns Heads at Pitt Pro Day

The Panthers running back stole the show at Pitt's Pro Day.

Noah Strackbein

Israel Abanikanda Turns Heads at Pitt Pro Day
Israel Abanikanda Turns Heads at Pitt Pro Day /
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers had a number of players worth watching at their Pro Day, and with Calijah Kancey being considered a first-round pick, he seemed like the top name on the board for anyone in South Side.

But with 31 of the 32 teams reportedly in attendance, running back Israel Abanikanda stole the show. 

Abanikanda came into the Pro Day with mid-round pick consideration. After not running at the NFL Combine due to a hamstring injury, the junior running back turned heads with his speed, running an unofficial 4.41 40-yard dash, with rumbles of as fast as a 4.27 on his second try. 

But this wasn't the beginning or the end. Abanikanda started his afternoon by hitting a 41-inch vertical jump. For comparison, the jump puts him in company with Saquon Barkley and A.J. Dillion -- and defensive star Myles Garrett. 

He then landed a 10'8" broad jump, all before participating in drills. 

After his Pro Day performance, Abanikanda could be moving up draft boards. The Pitt record holder leaves the Panthers 2,177 yards and 38 touchdowns, with claims to the program's single-game rushing record of 304 yards held by Tony Dorsett sine 1975.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and so much more!

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Noah Strackbein
NOAH STRACKBEIN

Noah is the Publisher for Inside the Panthers and All Steelers, and is the host of All Steelers Talk. A Scranton native, Noah made his way to the Pittsburgh sports scene in 2017. Now, years later, he's almost full yinzer. 

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