Inside The Panthers

Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda, DT Calijah Kancey Racking in National Honors

Two Pitt Panthers stars earned unanimous All-ACC consideration and All-American honors.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda, DT Calijah Kancey Racking in National Honors
Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda, DT Calijah Kancey Racking in National Honors /
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PITTSBURGH -- After a strong first to the 2022 campaign, The Pitt Panthers are seeing many of their stars earn All-ACC and All-American distinctions, namely star running back Israel Abankinada and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. 

Kancey and Abanikanda were both named unanimous first-team All-ACC selections by the Associated Press. Just three other players were unanimously selected. Offensive guard Marcus Minor was not unanimously selected but did earn first-team honors. 

Linebacker SirVocea Dennis and safety Erick Hallett were both named second-team defenders to bring Pitt's total selections to five, tied for fourth in the league with Noth Carolina. 

Kancey and Abanikanada also earned first-team All-American distinctions from CBS Sports and 247Sports. 

Abanikanda, who led the FBS in total touchdowns, rushing touchdowns and scoring also ranks among the nation’s leaders in rushing yards and rushing yards per game. CBS recognized him as an all-purpose player. 

Kancey - a 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks player - was one of three defensive linemen chosen for the first-team defense. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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