Tumbo Abanikanda
Encyclopedia
Tokumbo "Tumbo" Abanikanda (born December 25, 1986 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a professional American and Canadian football
linebacker
who is currently a free agent
. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos
as a street free agent in 2009. He played college football
for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles
.
, Abanikanda ran a 4.62 forty yard dash, benched 330 pounds, with 20 repetitions. Abanikanda was headed to Illinois
until a final push from Southern Miss
changed his mind.
, 11 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, two sacks
, a pass broken up and one interception.
, Abanikanda was invited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
rookie camp, but was not signed.
on May 26, 2009. After the release of Derrick Doggett
on June 10, Abanikanda's main competition for the starting weakside linebacker spot is fellow import rookie Mark Restelli
also in his first year with Edmonton. 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. 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." During training camp, his head coach called him "T. A." because he couldn't pronounce his name. 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
. He was re-signed to the practice roster on June 29, 2009, only to be released again on July 12.
Gridiron football
Gridiron football , sometimes known as North American football, is an umbrella term for related codes of football primarily played in the United States and Canada. The predominant forms of gridiron football are American football and Canadian football...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
as a street free agent in 2009. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Southern Miss Golden Eagles
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles represent The University of Southern Mississippi in Division I athletics. The teams compete in Conference USA....
.
Early years
Abanikanda attended Marietta–Osborne High School in Georgia. Coming out of high school he was two star recruit. According to Rivals.comRivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
, Abanikanda ran a 4.62 forty yard dash, benched 330 pounds, with 20 repetitions. Abanikanda was headed to Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini football
The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
until a final push from Southern Miss
Southern Miss Golden Eagles football
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles football program represents the University of Southern Mississippi in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Eagles are members of Conference USA and player their home games at M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi...
changed his mind.
College career
In 2008, as a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi, Abanikanda recorded 94 tacklesTackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
, 11 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, two sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
, a pass broken up and one interception.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
, Abanikanda was invited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
rookie camp, but was not signed.
Edmonton Eskimos
Following his backup plan, Abanikanda signed with the Edmonton EskimosEdmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
on May 26, 2009. After the release of Derrick Doggett
Derrick Doggett
Derrick Doggett is a gridiron football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as a street free agent in 2008...
on June 10, Abanikanda's main competition for the starting weakside linebacker spot is fellow import rookie Mark Restelli
Mark Restelli
Mark Restelli is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Edmonton Eskimos. He was signed by the Eskimos as a street free agent in 2009 and played until he was signed by the Dolphins in 2011. On September 4, 2011 he was released by the Dolphins during their final roster cuts...
also in his first year with Edmonton. Abanikanda debuted for Edmonton on June 17 in a preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
and recorded three tackles while Restelli had one tackle and an interception. Eskimos head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Richie Hall
Richie Hall
Richie Hall is the defensive coordinator for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was formerly the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos from 2009–2010.- Early years :...
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
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
on June 21." During training camp, his head coach called him "T. A." because he couldn't pronounce his name. 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
Scout team
In sports, the scout team, also referred to as a practice team, taxi squad, practice squad or practice roster, is a group of players on a team whose task is to emulate future opponents for the featured players. Frequently used in American or Canadian Football, these teams consist of less...
. He was re-signed to the practice roster on June 29, 2009, only to be released again on July 12.