Saidi and Mariam Abanikanda are Israel Abanikanda’s parents. The running back for the Pittsburgh Panthers is a Brooklyn, New York native. Since beginning his professional football career, Pittsburg Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda has blazed a trail for his present squad.
Israel was also a senior rusher and scorer on his high school’s Public Schools Athletic Leagues team. He gained 1,350 yards on the ground and 166 points, earning him the title of Gatorade Player of the Year for New York (scoring 25 touchdowns and eight 2-point runs).
20 touchdowns were scored by Abanikanda, with 3 coming from receiving and 2 from kickoff returns. At Abraham Lincoln High School, Israel was a defensive back who recorded 30 tackles and two interceptions.
Israel was a member of the senior year All-Class AA first team and the junior year All-Class AA second team. He was named NYC Player of the Year and is considered the most valuable player in Brooklyn Borough by NYC coaches.
All-USA defensive selection Abanikanda for the New York Football Team, three-time selection to the first team of the PSAL. He was selected for the National Football Foundation and College and twice recognized to Brooklyn Borough’s “Big 44.”
Explore more about Israel Abanikanda Age, Parents, Wikipedia, And Five Things You Shouldn’t Miss About Him in this post.
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Israel Abanikanda Birthday And Age Details
20-year-old New Yorker Israel Abanikanda is from the city. His bio on ESPN states that he was born on October 5, 2002, in Brooklyn.
Since North Carolina’s Kelvin Bryant accomplished this feat against East Carolina on September 12, 1981, Abanikanda is the first ACC player to have six touchdowns.
Since Texas’ Ricky Williams in 1998, he has been the only Power 5 BCS player to reach 300 yards of rushing with six touchdowns. On the ground, Abanikanda has scored 12 touchdowns. He defeated Rhode Island last month with the strength of his four touchdown runs on the floor.
Since Willis McGahee of Miami on December 7, 2002. The only opponent to rush for at least five touchdowns against Virginia Tech was Pitt’s No. 2 Israel Abanikanda. One of the best running backs in college football history is Israel Abanikanda. Dorsett’s Pitt record for the most carries in a single game was quickly exceeded by Abanaikanda (36).
With 320 yards on the ground and an exhilarating six touchdowns, the Pitt running back joined Williams and Tomlinson as the only players from current Power Five programs to rush for over 300 yards and score six rushing touchdowns in the past 25 years.
He outran the entire Virginia Tech defense on his 80-yard run for his sixth and final touchdown.
Full Name | Israel Adewale Abanikanda |
Age | 20years Old |
Birth | 2002, 5 October |
Israel Abanikanda Age Details
Israel Abanikanda and his parents, Saidi and Mariam, are of Nigerian descent. His parents were both born in Nigeria’s Lagos.
Nevertheless, Israel Abanikanda comes from a large family of athletes, including his father, Saidi, a Georgia Tech football player.
At the collegiate level, his brother Michael played for Buffalo and Temple.
Israel Abanikanda Career Explored
Israel just increased his family’s pride by shattering Tony Dorsett’s single-game record against Virginia Tech. Pittsburgh’s running back rushed for 320 yards and six touchdowns in a 45-29 victory over Virginia Tech. The previous best was 303 yards, which Dorsett ran for in 1975 versus Notre Dame.
According to ESPN, Abanikanda is one of just three Power 5 players to carry for 300 yards and score six touchdowns in the prior 25 seasons. He traveled 80 yards, essentially unopposed, for his winning score. After the run, his daytime rushing total is now 298 yards.
Israel considered this as he walked up to the sideline and peered up at the scoreboard to contrast his yardage with the 303 that Dorsett owned.
Abanikanda had no intention of challenging any records held by the Pitt Heisman Trophy winner. Israel, though, made it clear that he intended to try to break the mark after realizing it was within his reach. Abanikanda had two more carries, totaling 22 yards, bringing his game total to 320.
Israel Abanikanda Highschool Details
Israel Abanikanda attended the Brooklyn, New York, Abraham Lincoln High School at 2800 Ocean Parkway. He took part in many activities, including jogging and athletics. It portrayed him as a skilled athlete, and 247Sports, Rivals, and ESPN all placed him as New York’s top prospect.
Similarly, he was ranked as the No. 15 running back in the nation. Later, he was referred to as The Opening New Jersey Regional’s Most Valuable Running Back.
He had two victories in the 100-meter gold medal at the Mayor’s Cup race in New York City, as was mentioned in the section on his racing track records.
In addition, he won the bronze medal in the 100 meters at the outdoor track and field competition of the NY State Public High School Athletic Association.
Summary of Israel Abanikanda Stats
Regarding his brief professional football career, Israel Abanikanda has an impressive resume. Israel was named the Gatorade Football Player for New York after rushing for 1,350 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior.
Abanikanda ran the ball 28 times for 95 yards and a touchdown in 2020 as a true freshman at Pittsburgh. As a sophomore in 2021, Abanikanda played in all 13 games, including six starts. He ran for 651 yards on 123 attempts and scored seven touchdowns.
Abanikanda returned to Pittsburgh in 2022 and took over as the starter. He decided to attend Pittsburgh University to play college football. He received the ACC Running Back of the Week honor twice—once in Week 2 against Tennessee and once in Week 4 against Rhode Island.
Abanikanda was wearing a sling on the ACC Network broadcast at the start of the fourth quarter, indicating he didn’t participate in that game.
Five Things You Shouldn’t Miss About Him
- The date of Israel Abanikanda’s birth is October 5, 2002.
- His parents are Mariam and Saidi Abanikanda.
- Football player Saidi Abanikanda, his father, played at Georgia Tech.
- Israel Abanikanda is 125 pounds and stands at 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) (98 kg).
- Michael, Israel’s brother, was a college football player as well.