Pitt running back Izzy Abanikanda finally 'buying in'

Andre Powell has been coaching running backs about a decade longer than any of his Pitt players have been alive.

He can teach the proper method to follow blocks, encourage them to break tackles and stress the importance of protecting the quarterback.

But some players come equipped with certain skills that Pitt’s seventh-year running backs coach can only sit back and enjoy.

From all accounts, sophomore Izzy Abanikanda is one of those players. At least, that’s the type of player the coaching staff is hoping to see as training camp progresses.

“I can’t coach a guy to be really fast. I can’t coach a guy to be really strong,” Powell said. “He has some of those of things.”

The buzzword around camp is “explosiveness” when the subject turns to Abanikanda, who is atop the running back pecking order after less than a week of camp.

To be clear, coach Pat Narduzzi hasn’t promised Abanikanda will be Pitt’s starting running back Sept. 4 in the opener against UMass. But if camp evolves the way Narduzzi expects, Abanikanda will get more than his share of touches.

“He sees a hole, he takes it,” right guard Jake Kradel said. “He takes it for about 15-20 yards, and he’s gone.”

Abanikanda flashed power and speed in short bursts as a freshman last season (mostly in practice), playing in seven of Pitt’s 11 games. He rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries and made two catches for 11 yards and a score. His longest carry went for 10 yards.

“Freshman year, I wasn’t really buying in,” he said Tuesday after practice. “Right now, I’m starting to buy in. Covid messed up the whole transition (from high school) to learn plays. I didn’t have a spring last year.”

After the season, Abanikanda sat down with Powell, discussed his potential and how he can grow into a reliable back.

“It’s interesting,” he said of his talks with Powell, who related tales of former Pitt running back James Conner and how Abanikanda can approach that lofty level of achievement.

With increased knowledge of the playbook, Abanikanda became more comfortable in the backfield, especially in pass protection. That’s usually the last skill young collegiate backs master after they are not asked to do much blocking in high school.

Just as important is Abanikanda’s increased power and strength after he gained 30 pounds since his freshman year (from 190 to 220).

“Working out, eating, eating the right foods,” he said.

Just as important is the help he gets from Pitt’s offensive line that returns 80% intact after only center Jimmy Morrissey — a huge loss because of his leadership and experience — moved on to the NFL.

Kradel said part of the problem with the running game last season (111th in the nation) was the failure for the offensive line to play as a full unit.

“Four guys do their job, one guy misses a block,” he said. “This year we’re all on the same page. We’re all making calls. We know what the call means. We’re excited for the run game this year.”