Tumbo Abanikanda

Tokumbo "Tumbo" Abanikanda (pronounced: A-banna-conda) (born December 25, 1986) is an American former 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.

Early life Abanikanda attended Osborne High School in Marietta, Georgia. Coming out of high school, he was two star recruit. According to Rivals.com, Abanikanda ran a 4.62 forty yard dash, benched 330 pounds, with 20 repetitions.

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.

Professional career After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL draft, Abanikanda was invited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie camp, but was not signed.

Following his backup plan, 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." 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.