Pronunciation: ish-MAYL kan-TAY

2024 Sophomore (Iowa Central CC)

• Three-star recruit by 247Sports
• Top-ranked junior college linebacker in the nation by 247Sports
• #21 junior college player in the nation by 247Sports
• 71 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, and five pass breakups on the season

2023 Redshirt Freshman (Northern State)

• Played in all 11 games
• 16 tackles (11 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and two quarterback hurries on the season

2022 Freshman (Northern State)

• Redshirted the 2022 season

High School

• Played for head coach Jordan Sallis at Park Center
• Totaled 157 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 10 pass breakups in high school
• 2021 all-state
• Two-time all-district and all-area
• Team captain as a senior
• Also an all-state wrestler in high school and placed fifth in the state as a senior

Personal

• Born July 4, 2003
• Son of Ibrahima Kante and Fanta Bamba 
• Five brothers, Sekou, Sidiki, Yayah, Musa, and Mohammed
• Family immigrated from West Africa to the United States in 2012 when he was a young child
• Chose Illinois because “I love what they have going on with the program, and I want to be a part of it.”
• Majoring in communication