Take the time to watch Jets running back Izzy Abanikanda and his eye-popping runs during his time at Pitt and you can’t help but get excited about what the explosive runner can do for this Jets offense.
After logging over 1,400 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground in his final collegiate season, expect Abanikanda to show off another aspect of his game now that he’s landed at 1 Jets Drive. That facet of his game being his ability to make plays as a receiver out of the backfield.
Abanikanda wasn’t asked to catch the ball very often for the Panthers, hauling in just 38 passes in three seasons. But with Aaron Rodgers under center and Nathaniel Hackett calling the plays, Abanikanda should expect a significant uptick in receptions. While paired as the Packers QB/OC combo from 2019-2021, Packers running backs hauled in 281 passes. Jets fans should expect more of the same with Breece Hall, Abanikanda, Michael Carter, Bam Knight and potentially Travis Dye on board.
With so few catches under his belt at Pitt, some may wonder if it’s a skill the versatile back his in his tool box. In that regard, former Jets defensive lineman Leger Douzable, while appearing on With the First Pick podcast said he spoke to a scout who attended Abanikanda’s pro day and said the back had no issues catching the ball out of the backfield. Given what Rodgers and Hackett like to do on offense, it’s fair to say the Jets agreed.