#2

Israel Abanikanda

RB · Pittsburgh · Jr. · #2

National watchNew York — drafted 2023, Rd 5, Pick 9, #143 overall
This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

Israel Abanikanda

RB · Pittsburgh · Jr · #2

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
★★★
#425 national
CFB
College
Pittsburgh
2021–2022
NFL
NFL Draft
R5 · #143
New York · 2023

Trophy Case · Confirmed honors

What the selectors said

3 entries
🥇

ALL-AMERICA

Named All-American (2022)

2 selectors honored him

🎖

ALL-CONFERENCE

All-Conf mention (2022)

All-ACC

Where He Ended Up · NFL

New YorkEntering 4th NFL season

#143Rd 5 · Pick 9
New YorkEntering 4th NFL season

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2021Pittsburgh11-3HC: Pat Narduzzi · Balanced, fast tempo
2022Pittsburgh9-4HC: Pat Narduzzi · Run-leaning

Awards

Trophy Case · Confirmed honors

What the selectors said

3 entries
🥇

ALL-AMERICA

Named All-American (2022)

2 selectors honored him

🎖

ALL-CONFERENCE

All-Conf mention (2022)

All-ACC

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2022Pittsburgh2391,4316.020--
2021Pittsburgh1236515.37--
Career3622,0825.827--
SeasonTeam
2022Pittsburgh1214612.21--
2021Pittsburgh241978.21--
Career363439.52--

How he plays

Play style

Hits the crease and outruns the angle.

CFB Index positional classification

DNA match

Player DNA

Speed Merchant

Cuts upfield fast. Designed to find the crease, not run through the line.

RB

His 2022 production profile sits closest to Jerome Ford’s 2021 season.

Jerome Ford

79%match

Cincinnati · 2021

All-AACNFL Rd 5
#2

Quinshon Judkins

Ole Miss · 2022

All-SECNFL Rd 2 · Pk 4
72%
#3

Bijan Robinson

Texas · 2022

Doak WalkerConsensus All-AmericanNFL Rd 1 · Pk 8
68%
#4

Kendre Miller

TCU · 2022

All-Big 12NFL Rd 3 · Pk 8
67%
#5

Ty Chandler

North Carolina · 2021

All-ACCNFL Rd 5
62%

Matches Jerome on

Rush TD rate
EPA / carry (adj)
Total rush EPA (college ability)

Differs from Jerome on

Yards / reception (higher)
Receiving share (lower)

Through 3 college seasons, his career arc tracks closest to Devin Neal’s path through Kansas.

Devin Neal

96%match

Kansas · 2024

#2

Cameron Dickey

Texas Tech · 2025

92%
#3

Rhamondre Stevenson

Oklahoma · 2020

NFL Rd 4
92%
#4

Zachary Palmer-Smith

UL Monroe · 2025

89%
#5

Percy Agyei-Obese

James Madison · 2022

All-Sun Belt
87%

Matches Devin on

Height
Weight
Recruiting rating
202020212022

As a junior, his production profile tracks closest to Jacory Merritt's junior season at New Mexico (2023).

New Mexico · 2023

#2

Kendre Miller

TCU · 2022

All-Big 12NFL Rd 3 · Pk 8
72%
#3

Bijan Robinson

Texas · 2022

Doak WalkerConsensus All-AmericanNFL Rd 1 · Pk 8
71%
#4

Audric Estime

Notre Dame · 2023

NFL Rd 5
69%
#5

Devon Dampier

Utah · 2025

All-Big 12
69%

Matches Jacory on

Rush TD rate
EPA / carry (adj)

Differs from Jacory on

Class year (lower)
Weight (higher)
Yards / reception (higher)

Player DNA

Players who play like Israel Abanikanda

#1

Devin Neal

Kansas · 2021

96%
#2

Cameron Dickey

Texas Tech · 2024

92%
#3

Breece Hall

Iowa State · 2021

82%

Development

Development Trajectory · rushing yards

2021–2022
6512021
1,4312022

+120%

Up 120% from first season to most-recent.