Israel Abanikanda Bio
Israel “Izzy” Adewale Abanikanda (born October 5, 2002) is an American professional football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Brooklyn, New York, Abanikanda rose from a three-star high school recruit to one of the most dynamic rushers in Pittsburgh Panthers history before being selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He currently wears jersey number 30 for the Cowboys and stands 5 feet 10 inches tall, listed at 217 pounds.
Widely known by his nickname “Izzy,” Abanikanda built his reputation on explosive bursts, contact balance, and a nose for the end zone. His college career peaked with a record-setting 2022 season, and his professional journey has carried him through four NFL franchises in his first three seasons.
Early Life and Background
Israel Abanikanda was born on October 5, 2002, in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up surrounded by one of the most passionate football communities in the country. He attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, a program long associated with producing high-level talent. As a senior, Abanikanda rushed for 1,350 yards and 20 touchdowns, performances that earned him the Gatorade Football Player of the Year award for the state of New York.
Coming out of high school, Abanikanda was ranked as a three-star recruit but drew scholarship offers from seventeen different schools, a sign that college programs viewed him as a player with significant upside. On June 24, 2019, he announced his commitment to the University of Pittsburgh, choosing the Panthers over his other suitors. His path from Brooklyn to the ACC set the stage for one of the most productive individual seasons in Pittsburgh football history.
Path to American Football
Abanikanda’s path to professional football began in Brooklyn’s youth and high school ranks, where he developed the running style that has defined his career. His senior season at Abraham Lincoln High School gave him statewide recognition, and the Gatorade Football Player of the Year honor confirmed what recruiters had suspected: that his combination of vision, speed, and finishing power could translate to the next level.
The transition to college required patience. As a true freshman at the University of Pittsburgh in 2020, Abanikanda played in seven games and rushed 28 times for 95 yards and one touchdown. By his sophomore season in 2021, he had grown into a featured back, playing in all 13 games with six starts and rushing for 651 yards on 123 carries with seven touchdowns while also returning seven kicks for 206 yards. Those steady developmental years prepared him for the breakout campaign that followed.
Israel Abanikanda Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
Abanikanda arrived at the University of Pittsburgh in 2020 and spent his first college season adjusting to the speed and complexity of the college game. Used sparingly as a true freshman, he gained valuable experience in seven appearances and scored his first collegiate touchdown, giving the coaching staff confidence in his long-term potential.
In 2021, Abanikanda’s role expanded significantly. He started six of the team’s 13 games and finished the season with 651 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while also contributing 206 return yards. That production earned him a spot on the Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watchlist ahead of his junior year and signaled the coming breakthrough.
Pittsburgh Breakthrough (2022)
The 2022 season transformed Abanikanda from a promising back into a national story. He opened the year by helping Pitt in the renewed Backyard Brawl against West Virginia, then exploded for a 76-yard touchdown against Tennessee that was the program’s longest rushing score since 2018. He closed that game with 154 rushing yards and was named ACC Running Back of the Week for the first of three times that season.
Abanikanda followed that performance with 133 yards against Western Michigan and 177 yards against Rhode Island, moving into the national lead for all-purpose yards. On October 8, 2022, in a homecoming win over Virginia Tech, he rushed for 320 yards and six touchdowns, breaking Tony Dorsett’s school single-game rushing record of 303 yards set in 1975 and tying both the Pitt and ACC single-game touchdown records. He finished the season with 1,431 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, was named a First-team All-American and First-team All-ACC selection, 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 Era (2023-2024)
The New York Jets selected Abanikanda in the fifth round, 143rd overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills and went on to appear in six games as a rookie, finishing with 22 carries for 70 rushing yards. His rookie season was a learning year, as he worked to translate his college production into a crowded Jets backfield.
On December 2, 2024, the Jets waived Abanikanda, ending his time in New York. The move opened the door to the next chapter of his professional career, which would move quickly across the league.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2024-2025)
Just one day after being waived by the Jets, Abanikanda was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers on December 3, 2024. The move gave him a fresh opportunity in a different offensive system and a chance to reset his professional trajectory heading into the offseason.
His time in San Francisco came to an end on July 24, 2025, when the 49ers waived him as part of their roster shaping. Despite the short stay, the stint kept him in the league and ready for another opportunity.
Green Bay Packers Era (2025)
On July 25, 2025, Abanikanda was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers, giving him a third NFL home in less than a year. He was released by the Packers on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, then re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day.
The Packers released Abanikanda again on September 8, 2025, ending his brief return to the active roster. The moves reflected the constant churn of an NFL backfield market, but also showed that teams continued to see value in his skill set.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2025-Present)
On November 30, 2025, Abanikanda signed with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad, beginning his fourth NFL stop. The Cowboys, looking to add backfield depth, gave him a chance to work within their offensive scheme and special teams plans.
On January 6, 2026, Abanikanda signed a reserve or future contract with Dallas, locking in his place with the franchise heading into the next league year. He currently wears number 30 for the Cowboys and remains active on their roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Israel Abanikanda is at his best when he can get downhill in a hurry, with the vision to find lanes and the burst to break through second-level defenders. His record-setting night against Virginia Tech showcased his home-run speed and nose for the end zone, and his work as a kick returner at Pittsburgh highlighted his value on special teams. As a pass catcher and protector, he continues to refine the all-around skills required of a modern NFL running back.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining moment of Abanikanda’s career remains his October 8, 2022, performance against Virginia Tech, when he broke Tony Dorsett’s 47-year-old Pitt single-game rushing record with 320 yards and tied the conference and school single-game records with six rushing touchdowns. That game earned him five national or conference weekly honors, including the Doak Walker Running Back of the Week and the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week. In the NFL, being selected 143rd overall by the Jets in 2023 marked his arrival at the professional level.
Israel Abanikanda Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Israel Abanikanda’s family and parental background is limited, and he has not shared extensive details in widely reported sources. His Brooklyn roots and his high school path with the Abraham Lincoln Railsplitters remain the most documented links to his early family environment.
Personal Life
Abanikanda, who goes by the nickname “Izzy,” is known publicly primarily through his football career. Details about a spouse, partners, or children have not been publicly reported in verified sources, and he has kept his personal life largely private as he has moved between NFL teams.
2025 Season Performance
Israel Abanikanda’s 2025 season was defined by movement and opportunity. After being waived by the San Francisco 49ers in July, he was quickly claimed by the Green Bay Packers, released as part of final cuts, and re-signed to their practice squad before being released again in early September. Each stop reflected the league-wide interest in his running back profile, even if the roster spot itself was short-lived.
On November 30, 2025, Abanikanda signed with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad, giving him a stable home for the stretch run of the season. Through his first professional appearances, his career NFL totals stood at 70 rushing yards on 22 carries, 7 receptions for 43 receiving yards, and a 3.2 yards per carry average.
Looking ahead, Abanikanda’s January 6, 2026, reserve or future contract with Dallas gives him a clear platform to compete for a roster spot in the Cowboys’ backfield. With his track record of explosive college production and a full offseason to learn the Dallas scheme, his outlook in 2026 centers on carving out a defined offensive or special teams role and stacking consistent professional production for the first time in his NFL career.