Running back Israel Abanikanda. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Former Pitt star showing out for Jets during training camp

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 7/26/23

The University of Pittsburgh may soon have another star in the NFL as one of its former players is already making plays during the beginning stages of his first training camp.

Jets RB Israel Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, ran for a 50-yard touchdown on Tuesday.

For those who asked, here’s Jets RB Izzy Abanikanda 50-yard TD run from earlier

pic.twitter.com/QIALMmfkG7
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) July 25, 2023

Abanikanda had a great 2022 season in which he rushed for 1,431 yards and a college football-best 20 touchdowns and he seems to be picking up right where he left off.

The 20-year-old has a lot to prove as the 143rd overall pick but he may see some early action with RB Breece Hall returning from a torn ACL.

Abanikanda has fans in New York excited with just about a week away from the Jets vs. Browns Hall of Fame game, where he should have plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent.

He may turn out to be a steal for the Jets if he translates his play from the practice field to Sundays and he may just develop into a nice one-two-punch with Hall when he returns from injury.

The Pitt product will have to beat out RB Michael Carter for the backup role first, but there is still plenty of time in the offseason and preseason to do that.

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