Abdul Carter isn't on Heisman boards but he should be

Penn State has a great shot to contend for a Big Ten title and fight for a College Football Playoff spot in 2023. And such a high-profile season could have a key Nittany Lion in Heisman contention, according to On3’s Andy Staples.

It’s not quarterback Drew Allar or either of the supremely talented sophomore runnings. Staples picked sophomore linebacker and edge rusher Abdul Carter as a darkhorse Heisman pick, and laid out a fairly compelling case for how he could get there.

“And he could have a big effect on some big, big games. Penn State-Michigan, Penn State-Ohio State — those are games that could determine how the national title picture, how the playoff picture looks. He blows up in one of those games or both of those games, that’s a guy that everbody’s going to be talking about. He’s not even on the board yet,” Staples said, referring to the lack of betting odds for Carter to win the Heisman. (Another linebacker, LSU’s Harold Perkins, is in the betting odds for the Heisman.)

Staples likened Carter to former Penn State star and one of the best players in the NFL, Micah Parsons. As a linebacker-pass rusher hybrid at Penn State, Parsons created the mold for someone like Carter to excel.

And Carter might already be ahead of the curve relative to where Parsons was ahead of his sophomore season.

Parson’s notable stats after his freshman year at Penn State: 13 games, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and no passes defensed.

Carter’s same stats after his freshman year: 13 games, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and four passes defensed.

On top of the high production level after one season, Staples thinks the advantages of following in Parsons path will pay dividends for Carter.

“Here’s a guy who, as a freshman, but up better numbers than Micah Parsons did as a freshman. And remember, James Franklin and Co. have a much better idea of how to use somebody like this because they had Micah Parsons already. So expect his numbers to get even better. Expect him to be one of the best edge rushers in the country,” Staples said.

It’s not out of the realm of possibility for a defender to get to New York. Just two years ago, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was the runner-up for the award. Voters have shown a willingness to consider transcendent defensive players, and Carter will have plenty of opportunity to be a dominant player and on some massive stages.

And it’s enough that Staples is keeping an eye on Carter when it comes to the best players in college football in 2023.