Evaluating 2024 potential for Penn State's Abdul Carter, how position change draws Micah Parsons comparison

Andy Staples was joined by Sean Fitz of Blue White Illustrated on the latest episode of Andy Staples On3, where they discussed a variety of topics around Penn State.

One of the more fascinating players on the Nittany Lions entering 2024 is pass rusher Abdul Carter. As he moves to defensive end from linebacker, many are excited about his potential, and Fitz believes it could unlock his immense abilities this season.

“I think this was something that’s that’s coming,” Fitz said, regarding the position change. “If you look at Abdul as a linebacker, ton of production, but more potential. Like there were things that, when everybody was fawning over him as a freshman, you’re like, ‘This guy has to improve on sort of the nuances of the position.’ Now it’s just go get the football.

“I don’t think there’s too much like to talk about there in terms of like why this best fits Tom Allen’s defense or anything like that. When this guy goes after the ball, he usually gets to the ball, and that’s a straightforward type of thing. And that Abdul Carter has always been a straightforward type of player. So I think that that’s that really went into it.”

Concerns about Carter’s future at the position in the NFL due to his size may have stopped Penn State from pulling the trigger sooner, but Fitz isn’t worried about that at all, likening Carter to stars of Nittany Lions’ past.

“I kind of push back at the notion that he can’t be a defensive end at the pro level, because I think this guy is the next in line of freaks,” Fitz added. “You saw Chop Robinson at the Combine. It was incredible. Adisa Isaac was kind of like that, but we gloss over that as well, but Abdul’s in that same mode. If we talk about Abdul’s body, we talked to Chuck Losey yesterday, Penn State’s strength coach, Abdul’s body will go any way that you want it to, because he is that type of athlete. He is that type of sort of physical freak who they’re, you know, he might be 255, 260 by the time that the season starts.”

“It’s a situation where I just think it’s just see ball, get ball. I think that really like maybe a 3-4, outside linebackers might be his best fit. And I think that that really diversifies his skill set, moving him to defensive end. They’ve got a lot of numbers at linebacker. They’re really high on Tony Rojas, the sophomore, who can maybe step in and do some really nice things for them. So this is the situation where we’re kind of splitting hairs on defense. Penn State has been so good on defense for so many years, and they make a change like this. But if this happened on the offensive side of the ball, where a guy moves — you move Nick Singleton two slot receiver something like that, it would just completely blow up. Now you kind of give Penn State the benefit of the doubt here, and since it’s Penn State’s defense, it’s probably gonna work out.”

Alas, here’s something Fitz believes that’ll have Penn State fans chomping at the bit — Carter could be the next Micah Parsons for the Nittany Lions.

“That’s the plan. I said this on our show on BWI a couple of weeks ago, like this is what you wanted to see from Michael Parsons,” Fitz stated. “This is what you were going to see from Michael Parsons, and then the COVID season comes, and he does not play. I hesitate to compare anyone to Michael Parsons, but since Micah Parsons has been here, he’s the closest thing to him.”

Those are big shoes to fill. We’ll see if Abdul Carter can make good on his potential, as Penn State enters a pivotal 2024 season.