Tumbo Abanikanda

Tokumbo "Tumbo" Abanikanda (pronounced: A-banna-conda)[1] (born December 25, 1986) is a former professional American and Canadian football linebacker. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as a street free agent in 2009. He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

Tumbo Abanikanda
Born: (1986-12-25) December 25, 1986
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Career information
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)LB
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight225 lb (102 kg)
CollegeSouthern Miss
High schoolMarietta (GA) Osborne
NFL draft2009 / Undrafted
Career history
As player
2009Edmonton Eskimos*
*Offseason and/or practice roster member only
Career stats
  • Playing stats at CFL.ca (archive)

Early years

Abanikanda attended Osborne High School in Marietta, Georgia. Coming out of high school, he was two star recruit.[2] According to Rivals.com, Abanikanda ran a 4.62 forty yard dash, benched 330 pounds, with 20 repetitions.[2] Abanikanda was headed to Illinois until a final push from Southern Miss changed his mind.[3]

College career

In 2008, as a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi, Abanikanda recorded 94 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, two sacks, a pass broken up and one interception.[4]

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, Abanikanda was invited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie camp, but was not signed.[5]

Following his backup plan,[5] Abanikanda signed with the Edmonton Eskimos on May 26, 2009.[4] After the release of Derrick Doggett on June 10,[6] Abanikanda's main competition for the starting weakside linebacker spot[7] is fellow import rookie Mark Restelli also in his first year with Edmonton.[8] Abanikanda debuted for Edmonton on June 17 in a preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders and recorded three tackles while Restelli had one tackle and an interception.[9] Eskimos head coach Richie Hall has called Abanikanda and Restelli's battle the closest one in camp so far. Hall also stated that he hoped, "one player outperforms the other player" in Edmonton's next preseason game against the BC Lions on June 21."[9] During training camp, his head coach called him "T. A." because he couldn't pronounce his name.[6] Eventually, he was released on June 25, 2009, as a final cut with Restelli winning the job, however he could end up on the Eskimos' practice roster.[10] He was re-signed to the practice roster on June 29, 2009, only to be released again on July 12.

Scouting career

Abanikanda has spent time as a scout for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.[11]

References
  1. "#55 Tumbo Abanikanda". Edmonton Eskimos. esks.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  2. "Tumbo Abanikanda". Rivals.com. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  3. Cooper, Mark (November 23, 2004). "Georgia ATH Commits to Southern Miss". Rivals.com. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  4. "Eskimos sign trio". TSN.ca. May 26, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  5. Munz, Jason (June 23, 2009). "Former Eagles given a shot in CFL". Hattiesburg American. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  6. Moddejonge, Gerry (June 11, 2009). "Doggett gone". The Edmonton Sun. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  7. Annicchiarico, Mario (June 18, 2009). "Rookie QBs may be keepers". The Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  8. Annicchiarico, Mario (June 17, 2009). "'Tired of beating up on each other'". The Edmonton Journal. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  9. Moddejonge, Gerry (June 21, 2009). "Strong battle on weak side". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  10. MacKinnon, John (June 26, 2009). "Eskimos' front office has depth". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
  11. Adams, Jay (February 11, 2013). "FALCONS PROMOTE TUKUNBO ABANIKANDA TO AREA SCOUT". atlantafalcons.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
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