Israel Abanikanda
Israel Abanikanda  RB  Pittsburgh | NFL Draft 2023 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Israel Abanikanda
Height
5-10
Weight
216
College
Pittsburgh
Position
RB
Class
Junior
Home town
Brooklyn, NY
81.3/100
Player Rating
16
PositionRank (RB)
4.45
FortyYD Time
Rush YDs
1431
Rush AVG
6
Rush TDs
20
Receptions
12
Rec YDs
146

Israel Abanikanda RB Pittsburgh | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Israel Abanikanda RB Pittsburgh
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: Work-Horse Back
Last Updated: 04/20/2023
Draft Year: 2023
40 time: 4.45 seconds (83%*)
Measurables:
Height: 5-10 (36%*) Weight: 216 (58%*)
Hands: 8 1/4 (6%*) Arm: 32 (75%*) Span: 76 (77%*)
Forty: 4.45 (P) (83%*) Shuttle: 4.32 (P) (37%*)
Vertical: 41 (P) (98%*) Broad: 128 (P) (95%*)
Three Cone: 7.14 (P) (34%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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ROLE: Work-Horse Back
Last Updated: 04/20/2023
Draft Year: 2023
40 time: 4.45 seconds (83%*)
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 5-10 (36%*) Weight: 216 (58%*)
Hands: 8 1/4 (6%*) Arm: 32 (75%*)
Span: 76 (77%*)
Forty: 4.45 (P) (83%*) Shuttle: 4.32 (P) (37%*)
Vertical: 41 (P) (98%*) Broad: 128 (P) (95%*)
3 Cone: 7.14 (P) (34%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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Overall Rating: 81.3 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
74%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
Rushing:
86%
Break Tackles:
60%
Receiving/Hands:
52%
Pass Blocking:
31%
Run Blocking:
59%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 5th
Overall Rank: #152 Position rank: #16
College Games: 31 College Snaps: 957
Grade: 3 ESPN  Stars 3 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 76/100
College Combine Results
Grade: 247 Sports 4  Stars 247 Sports 93 Stars 247 RATING: 93/100
Grade: 3 Stars 3 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
New York Jets Drafted: ROUND: 5 - Pick Number: 143 (NYJ)
Draft Profile: Bio
Israel Abanikanda from Abraham Lincoln High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 4-star grade by 247 Sports. Following high school, Abanikanda joined Pittsburgh.

In 2020 as a freshman Abanikanda saw action in 7 games for the Panthers as he ran for only 95 yards on 28 attempts for only 3.4 yards per carry, with one TD, with no fumbles. As a receiver he made only 2 receptions for 11 yards.

As a sophomore in 2021 he played 13 games. and rushed for 651 yards on 123 carries for an impressive 5.3 ypc, with 7 TDs, with no fumbles. In the passing game he pulled in 24 receptions for 197 yards.

In 2022 as a junior Abanikanda saw action in 11 games for the Panthers. He ran for an elite 1426 yards on 241 attempts for an impressive 5.9 ypc, with 20 TDs, with 3 fumbles. As a receiver he made only 12 receptions for 146 yards.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Abanikanda consistently falls forward, and Abanikanda will also bounce off of or shake loose from a couple of tackles to turn minimal gains into big runs.
  • He has the flexible ankles to turn the corner and get around the perimeter when the opportunity presents itself.
  • He’s patient, letting blocks develop then accelerating. Abanikanda runs with a good forward lean and consistently falls forward.
  • He’s not a burner, and he is more of a block-what’s-given runner than a guy who is going to create.
  • An excellent blocker on the outside, he also adds value in the running game.
  • He’s equally dangerous in catch-and-run situations as he is taking the top off a defense
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • He’s not physically imposing. Abanikanda is small-framed and won’t be able to carry much more weight.
  • Abanikanda has constantly ran a limited route tree.
  • He’s more of a cut blocker in pass protection as opposed to a guy who will stick his face in against the blitz, although that is a correctable flaw.

Israel Abanikanda percentiles vs other Running Backs (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)

How other scouting services rate Israel Abanikanda (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
115.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
12.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.