Brooklyn Kid Israel Abanikanda Back in Town as Jets' Newest Running Back

Gang Green's fifth-round draft pick, a Lincoln HS alumnus, is 'staying home'

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

He was born and raised in Brooklyn and now, it's all a "dream" for Israel Abanikanda.

Drafted by his hometown team, the All-American running back was the New York Jets' fifth-round selection at No. 143 overall.

"I looked up, it said the Jets. I’m like, ‘Man, I’m staying home.’ It was so exciting, it’s unreal," said Abanikanda recounting his special draft day moment.

The 21-year old Abanikanda was sitting with his mother when he got the coveted phone call.

"It’s actually a dream come true; a dream come true," said the Bedford-Stuyvesant native. "I always wanted to stay home, stay close to family. Just for that happening, it’s an unreal experience."

While competing for the famed Lincoln High School, Abanikanda was the top rusher in New York City's PSAL en-route to winning the 2019 New York State Gatorade Player of the Year award.

The Lincoln High School speedster also achieved elite status on the track. Abanikanda finished third overall in the 55-meter dash (6.47) at the 2019 PSAL Indoor Championships. Two months later, he struck gold outdoors in the 100-meter dash (10.69) at the 2019 NYC Mayor's Cup. 

The running back credited his participation in track with helping him on the football field.

"That helped me a lot," said Abanikanda. "The workouts, being more flexible, being more durable, being more conditioned and just felt like I could run faster. That definitely helped me on the field."

Earning football offers from at least seven Power 5 conference programs, Abanikanda chose Pitt and proceeded to play in seven games as a true freshman in 2020.

The 5-foot-11 ball carrier erupted for a remarkable 2022 campaign that ended with receiving All-America honors from four different organizations. Winning the Atlantic Coast Conference rushing title, Abanikanda ran for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns despite missing 1.5 games due to injury last fall. He also added 146 yards and one score on 12 receptions.

Abanikanda hit the 100-yard rushing mark in nine of 11 appearances in 2022, including a record-setting performance against Virginia Tech. He displaced the legendary Tony Dorsett atop Pitt's single-game rushing list by running wild for 320 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries

"Virginia Tech game, 320 yards, six touchdowns. That really happened, it just happened so quick. I just kept feeling it that day," recounted Abanikanda.

Dude has wheels 😮‍💨@IAbanikanda | @Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/Rs8kjKG9Vc

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) October 8, 2022

The New York City product averaged 5.6 yards per rush over 30 career games with the Pitt Panthers, showing ability to affect the games in multiple ways. 

The 216-pound Abanikanda, who boasts great acceleration and above-average burst, has been timed at 4.41s in the 40-yard dash.

"I can run in any type of scheme, outside zone, inside zone, under the center," said Abanikanda. "I can also line up at slot, catch the ball and breakaway. Home run hitter with great ball security as well."

From what it sounds like, in terms of rookie running backs, the Jets got the livest one from Bedford-Stuyvesant. 

RELEVANT LINKS:

Draft: Another Year, Another Running Back Chosen by the Jets

Carter Warren Coming Home for NFL Opportunity

Draft Tracker: Logging the Jets' Picks

Gang Green Earns Top-10 Status in Post-Draft NFL Power Rankings

Jets Country 2023 Offseason Personnel Tracker