PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A hamstring injury kept him from running at the NFL Combine early in March. That left him watching Panthers teammates Calijah Kancey and Brandon Hill set records running the 40-yard dash. He anxiously awaited his turn. Motivated and focused, Pitt tailback Israel Abanikanda got his chance at the Pitt Pro Day Wednesday and turned heads.
Abanikanda said he ran between a 4.26 and 4.32 40-yard dash at the South Side indoor facility in front of 31 NFL team representatives. We don't know the exact time, or ones the scouts use, because it's not shared. There was no doubt after they witnessed it there was a stirring where the scouts and coaches watched.
"It was just a day for me to show out," Abanikanda said. "I was motivated after not participating at the Combine. I knew it was a big day for me. I wanted to show out."
"Teams said I was rolling, I appreciate that."
He said in his conversations with numerous NFL teams, many were wondering about his speed. If he had the ability to burst through a hole or could outrun defenders. It confused him given his performance this season and he was glad to prove that speed to all of those eyes on him.
The Brooklyn native rushed for a six-yard average, an ACC leading 1,413 yards with 20 touchdowns in 2022. Abanikanda led the NCAA in total touchdowns and rushing TDs. He had nine, 100-yard rushing games including a school-record 320 yards and six touchdowns against Virginia Tech.
He also wanted to show them he could catch the ball with few opportunities to do that in college. And do all of this while bulking up a few pounds since the end of the season.
"That 41 and one-half-inch vertical and I looked at his back and I was like 'whoa, look at that dude'," said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi of watching his former tailback. "Maybe I just haven't looked at him with his shirt off in a long time. He was a beast over there jumping and then the way he ran at 217 pounds."
"That's a big man running fast. Most guys get skinnier for Pro Day (to run faster). He put on more horse power and went out there and ran really well."
"Throughout the three years I grew a lot," Abanikanda said. "Learned a lot of pass protection, who to pick up on assignments, how to block. I didn't learn that in high school, I was getting the ball."
"Now, I'm a complete back. I can do anything. I can do special teams. I'm a complete man and a complete back."
The 5'11" junior just turned 20 and says he's been working for this opportunity since he was four-years-old. He always played in the older division and is good with being one of the youngest players in the NFL. He's already had to overcome a hamstring injury and believes this opportunity is meant to be.
Abanikanda will be home in Brooklyn for draft weekend, he said it really doesn't matter to him when he is picked or who it is. He just wants a chance.
"I want them to know I'm a dedicated, disciplined, humble man, on and off the field," Abanikanda said. "I'm a great player for sure."
In a few weeks, he'll get a chance to prove it again.
