No. 88, Pittsburgh RB Israel Abanikanda

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.

All signs point to Aaron Jones being back with the Green Bay Packers in 2023. With his return, Jones will once again team with A.J. Dillon to form one of the better running back duos in the league.

Dillon is set to be a free agent next season and even if Jones is back, next season could mark the end of his tenure at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. 

With those two potentially on their way out the door, the Packers will likely look to add a running back in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

A player they could target on day three of the draft is Israel Abanikanda. The Pittsburgh running back checks in at No. 88 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

Abanikanda, the New York Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Abraham Lincoln high school, scored one rushing and one receiving touchdown during his first season at Pitt. In 2021, Abanikanda rushed for 635 yards and seven touchdowns. He added 24 receptions for 197 yards and one touchdown.

This past season Abanikanda set a couple of Pitt rushing records. Abanikanda rushed for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns. Abanikanda set the program single-season record for 100-yard rushing games in a season (9). He broke Tony Dorsett’s single-game rushing record with a 320-yard effort against Virginia Tech. 

VT 29 vs. @Pitt_FB 45

Israel Abanikanda carried Pitt to victory going for 320 yards and 6 touchdowns on the day!@Pitt_FB | @ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/aYqD6NmFmL

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 8, 2022

“Abanikanda finished the season leading the country in all-purpose yards,” Christopher Carter, the Pitt reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said. “He’s a consistent threat to break a game open if the defense or special teams unit gives him a crease to attack. Against Virginia Tech, he tied Pitt’s program single-game record for touchdowns with six that’s stood since 1910 and simultaneously broke Tony Dorsett’s 1974 single-game rushing record with 320 yards. He became the first power five conference player to top 300 yards and have six rushing touchdowns in a single game since Ricky Williams did it in 1998.”

Abanikanda was a track athlete in high school, where he was a two-time gold medalist in the 100-meter at the New York Mayor’s Cup Race. That explosiveness makes him a home run threat. With his burst he’s able to consistently rip off explosive runs. …