Israel Abanikanda Bio
Israel “Izzy” Adewale Abanikanda (born October 5, 2002) is an American professional football running back. He currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Abanikanda played college football at the University of Pittsburgh, where he set the school’s single-game rushing record, before being selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Early Life and Background
Israel Adewale Abanikanda was born on October 5, 2002, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in the same city that would later shape his identity as a hard-running tailback, attending Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn. As a senior, he earned recognition as the Gatorade Football Player of the Year for New York after rushing for 1,350 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Heading into his senior season of high school, Abanikanda was rated as a three-star recruit and drew scholarship offers from seventeen schools. On June 24, 2019, he announced his commitment to the University of Pittsburgh, choosing the Panthers over his other suitors and setting the stage for a memorable college career in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Path to American Football
Abanikanda’s rise through the football ranks began in Brooklyn’s high school scene, where his senior-year production caught the attention of college scouts across the country. His commitment to Pittsburgh in 2019 gave him a clear path to a Power Five program, and he quickly worked his way into the Panthers’ rotation as a true freshman in 2020.
During his first three seasons at Pittsburgh, Abanikanda steadily built his résumé, transitioning from a reserve role into a featured back. By the fall of 2022, the combination of opportunity, preparation, and physical development positioned him for a breakout campaign that would announce his arrival on a national stage and ultimately launch his professional career.
Israel Abanikanda Career
College Career (2020–2022)
As a true freshman at Pittsburgh in 2020, Abanikanda appeared in seven games, rushing 28 times for 95 yards and one touchdown. In his sophomore season of 2021, he played in all 13 games with six starts, finishing the year with 651 rushing yards on 123 carries and seven touchdowns. He also contributed on special teams, returning seven kicks for 206 yards and averaging 29.4 yards per return.
Abanikanda was named to the Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watchlist in July 2022 and returned to Pittsburgh as a starter that fall. He opened the season in the renewed Backyard Brawl against West Virginia and later erupted for a 76-yard rushing touchdown against Tennessee, the program’s longest rushing score since 2018. He closed his college career with 1,431 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in 2022, earning First-team All-ACC and First-team All-American honors, and received the second most votes for ACC Player of the Year. In January 2023, he was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
New York Jets (2023–2024)
Abanikanda was selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round, 143rd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills. As a rookie, he appeared in six games and recorded 22 carries for 70 rushing yards. On December 2, 2024, the Jets waived him.
San Francisco 49ers (2024–2025)
On December 3, 2024, the San Francisco 49ers claimed Abanikanda off waivers. His time with the 49ers organization provided another developmental stop in his early professional career. On July 24, 2025, the 49ers waived him.
Green Bay Packers (2025)
On July 25, 2025, Abanikanda was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers. The Packers released him on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, then re-signed him to the practice squad the following day. On September 8, the Packers released Abanikanda again.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2025–Present)
On November 30, 2025, Abanikanda was signed to the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad, joining the active NFC franchise in search of a fresh opportunity. The move to Dallas marked his fourth NFL organization in less than a year and gave him a new platform to compete for a roster spot.
Notable Events and Milestones
Abanikanda’s signature moment came on October 8, 2022, when he rushed for 320 yards against Virginia Tech, breaking Tony Dorsett’s 1975 Pitt single-game rushing record of 303 yards. In the same game, he scored six rushing touchdowns, tying the ACC single-game record set in 1981 and the Pitt single-game record set in 1910. He collected five weekly honors for that performance, including Doak Walker Running Back of the Week, Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, and his third ACC Running Back of the Week award of the 2022 season.
Israel Abanikanda Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Israel Abanikanda grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and built his football foundation at Abraham Lincoln High School, the same school that helped launch his career. Further details about his immediate family have not been publicly confirmed in available records.
Personal Life
Abanikanda is known by the nickname “Izzy” and maintains a public presence on social media, where his Instagram handle is izzygetsbusy__. Information about a spouse, partner, or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Abanikanda’s 2025 season has been defined by movement between organizations rather than a steady role. After being waived by the San Francisco 49ers in late July 2025, he was claimed by the Green Bay Packers, released during final cuts, briefly re-signed to their practice squad, and released again in early September. Each stop offered a brief opportunity to compete and showcase his running style for a new coaching staff.
The late-November signing to the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad gave Abanikanda a fresh landing spot within the NFC. The Cowboys added him as they evaluated backfield depth during the second half of the season, presenting an opportunity to earn a call-up to the active roster.
Looking ahead, Abanikanda’s path forward in 2025 centers on proving he can stick with an NFL roster after four organizations in a single calendar year. His Pittsburgh résumé, headlined by a 320-yard game and 20-touchdown season, remains the strongest argument that he can carve out a longer professional career.