Jets Release Former Pitt Star RB

The New York Jets released a former Pitt Panthers star running back.

Dominic Campbell | Dec 2, 2024

Aug 10, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Israel Abanikanda (25) carries the ball as Washington Commanders linebacker Anthony Pittman (57) tackles during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Pittsburgh Panthers

PITTSBURGH -- The New York Jets announced that they released former Pitt Panthers star running back Israel Abanikanda, as they signed another running back, Kene Nwangwu, to the active roster from the practice squad.

We have signed RB Kene Nwangwu to the active roster from the practice squad.

Additionally, we have released Israel Abanikanda.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 2, 2024

He hails from Brooklyn, N.Y. and played for Abraham Lincoln High School, located in the Coney Island neighborhood in the borough.

247Sports rated him as a four-star in the Class of 2020, the top recruit in New York, No. 14 running back and No. 162 in the nation. Rivals rated him as a three-star, No. 4 in his state and No. 47 at his position.

Abanikanda played in seven games in the COVID-19 impacted 2020 season, with 28 carries for 95 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman.

He had a good 2021 season, leading the team with 651 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 123 carries. He also had 24 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown, plus a kickoff return for a touchdown in the win over Virginia.

Abanikanda's 2022 season saw him take on the bulk of the offensive production, as he rushed 239 times for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns. His rushing touchdowns and rushing yards rank fourth and eighth best in a season in Pitt history, respectively. He earned First Team All-American and First Team All-ACC honors for his efforts that season.

He had one of the best games in a Pitt uniform in a win at home against Virginia Tech in Week 6, as he rushed for a program record 320 yards and tied a program record of six rushing touchdowns in the 45-29 victory.

Abanikanda ended his three seasons at Pitt with 385 carries for 2,177 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns, which ranks tied for seventh most in program history.

The Jets took Abanikanda in the Fifth Round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He played in six games as a rookie, with 22 carries for 70 yards and seven catches for 43 yards. He didn't record any stats in 2024.

Abanikanda sat behind starting running back Breece Hall, the backup in Braelon Allen and the thrid-string in Isaiah Davis.

He'll now have a chance to go play for another NFl team and prove what he showed while playing for Pitt.

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Published Dec 2, 2024