The Green Bay Packers claimed RB Israel Abanikanda (ah-BON-ee-CAHN-duh) off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers and signed CB Garnett Hollis Jr. The moves were announced Saturday by General Manager Brian Gutekunst.
Abanikanda (5-10, 217) is a third-year player out of the University of Pittsburgh who was originally selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round (No. 143 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has appeared in six games over his first two seasons, recording 22 carries for 70 yards (3.2 avg.) and seven receptions for 43 yards (6.1 avg.). In 2024, Abanikanda was released by the Jets on December 2 and claimed by the 49ers. In college (2020-22), he appeared in 30 games and registered 390 carries for 2,177 yards (5.6 avg.) and 28 touchdowns to go along with 38 receptions for 354 yards (9.3 avg.) and three TDs. In 2022, Abanikanda earned first-team All-America honors (CBS, ESPN), second-team All-America recognition (Football Writers Association of America, FWAA), third-team All-America honors (The Associated Press) and first-team All-ACC recognition. He will wear No. 23 for the Packers.
Hollis Jr. (6-0, 199) was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans on May 9, 2025. In college, he played at Northwestern University (2020-23) and West Virginia University (2024). Overall, Hollis Jr. played in 39 games with 29 starts, recording 124 tackles (77 solo), 14 passes defensed and two interceptions. He posted career highs in tackles (49) and solo tackles (33) in 2023 and a career-best six passes defensed in 2024. Hollis Jr. will wear No. 41 for the Packers.
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