James Franklin explains rationale behind Abdul Carter position change

Penn State defensive playmaker Abdul Carter underwent a position transition this offseason, attempting to play more defensive end rather than linebacker in 2024.

Carter is one of the more talented defensive players in the entire country, and his versatility at such a large frame makes him a real asset. Now, he’ll try and really keep defenses on their toes by threatening to play as a down linemen or as a linebacker on any given play.

At Big Ten Media Days, PSU head coach James Franklin was asked about the change for Carter and said he expects to deploy him at both spots this fall: “I think first thing is he’ll play both,” answered Franklin. “We have the flexibility to play him at both positions.”

He continued, noting just how impressive Carter’s capabilities are in his body type. However, Franklin admits that you’re always playing with a little bit of fire by changing a guy’s position.

“He’s one of the unique athletes that was playing linebacker at 250 pounds. You never know how that transition is going to go, playing in space at the linebacker position compared to moving up to the line of scrimmage and having to go against the offensive tackles.”

Thankfully, all went well and Franklin says Carter “made the adjustment pretty quickly” once the decision was made. Again, he credits the raw physical talent that the Nittany Lion defender possesses.

“At the end of the day, you’re talking about one of the more explosive, physical athletes in all of college football. We think he has the ability to make a significant impact.”

As the season gets underway, Franklin says that Carter’s role could change on a weekly basis.

“Week to week we’ll decide where he’ll have the most impact for us, whether it’s on the line of scrimmage at defensive end or in the linebacker position,” he noted, adding that Carter did feature mostly as a DE in the spring.

“This spring he stayed mainly at defensive end to get comfortable with that, and then after that we had a really good conversation, and he’s open to doing both,” said Franklin, which is a real asset for the defense.

“That will also put us in a position where people can’t game plan and know exactly where he’s going to be on the defense. So we’re excited about that.”

Overall, James Franklin has grown into a massive Abdul Carter fan — of the person, even more so than the player.

“He’s really grown up. I’m proud of him and his development academically, as a student-athlete, as well as a football player. We need him and expect for him to have a huge year for us,” said Franklin.

“Got a very, very close relationship with him and his father, and I’m proud of him and excited about what he’s going to do this year.”