Jets Sign Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda to Rookie Contract

Israel Abanikanda makes the official transition from Pitt Panther to New York Jet.

PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda is officially an NFL running back after he put pen to paper on his rookie contract with the New York Jets this week during his first few days with the team. 

Abanikanda, who was drafted 143rd overall in the fifth round by the Jets in the 2023 NFL Draft, is now signed to a contract worth $4,179,386 over four years with a $335,538 signing bonus. He will make $750,000 in base salary and count for $834,096 against new York's cap space this season. 

Abanikanda burst onto to the scene in 2022 and used his electrifying speed to fuel a 1,577-total yard, 21-total touchdown campaign that earned him First-Team All-American honors from CBS and ESPN. He also received more votes to the 2022 All-ACC First-Team than any other player, finished second in ACC Player of the Year voting and was a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award.

He set a single-game rushing record that was held by Tony Dorsett for 47 years and a 112-year-old single-game touchdown record held by Normal Bill Budd when he rushed for 320 yards and six touchdowns against Virginia Tech. Abanikanda led the country in total touchdowns and was second nationally in all-purpose yards per game. His 11.6 points scored per game also lead college football. 

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