Why moving to defensive end is a ‘win-win’ for Abdul Carter and the rest of Penn State’s defense

Ever since he first donned No. 11 in all white, Abdul Carter has drawn comps to former Penn State great Micah Parsons.

Both were 5-star recruits who blossomed into All-Big Ten honorees as off-ball linebackers. But while Parsons, who is now the best pass rusher in the NFL, was miscast during his two seasons with the Nittany Lions, Carter is officially making the switch to defensive end for his junior season in Happy Valley. 

The move, confirmed by head coach James Franklin on Tuesday, positions Carter to be even more impactful for the Nittany Lions’ defense in 2024, and could boost his NFL stock, too. 

“I remember when we recruited Abdul, I thought he was a defensive end. And Abdul and Dad were adamant that he was a linebacker. The reality is we just wanted him in our program and knew he was going to be a really good player wherever he decided to play. But this wasn’t really something from us. This was Abdul really wanted to make this move for a number of reasons. And we’re excited about it” Franklin explained, adding that the switch is a “win-win” for all parties. 

And Franklin’s right.

Why Carter’s position change makes sense for the player and Penn State

The Nittany Lions were ferocious defensively in 2023. Manny Diaz’s unit led the nation in havoc — tops in the country in sacks (49) and No. 2 nationally (first among Power 5 programs) in tackles for loss (111). 

Penn State finished in the Top 3 in yards per play allowed (4.2), scoring defense (13.5) and success rate (32.9%, first nationally). 

Abdul Carter was at the center of much of the unit’s success, playing the most snaps on the team. He recorded 48 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups and a pick. He was named a First-Team All-Big Ten performer. 

And yet, Carter had a bit of an inconsistent season as a sophomore. Unlike LSU’s Harold Perkins, Carter seemed to outgrow the off-ball linebacker position as he continued to fill out his frame.

He was actually a more productive linebacker as a freshman when he weighed 230 pounds. He played at 250 last season, and now he’s north of that.

Tackling in space was an issue for Carter in 2023, as he missed 16 tackles, per PFF — a figure that doubled compared to his freshman season. He was also less effective in coverage. 

However, Carter was solid as a run-stopper and was at his best when asked to get after the quarterback. According to PFF, he rushed the passer on only 33% snaps, recording 28 pressures — third-most on the team. 

Now that’s his full-time job. 

“It is a big change,” Franklin said. 

“He’s never really done this before. And it is a big change. It’s not just like you make the decision to move and you snap your fingers and automatically you’re a defensive end. It’s a different world the closer you get to the ball. Just like it’s a different world if you move back to the secondary. So we’re excited about watching his development and growth and should be exciting.”

But that’s what spring practice is for. Carter will have 15 practices to get acclimated to the new position, and then all of fall camp to overcome any further growing pains. 

The move makes total sense for a Penn State defense undergoing all sorts of transitions this offseason, too. 

Diaz is now the head coach at Duke, and several of Penn State’s top players — particularly defensive ends Adisa Isaac and Chop Robinson — are now off to the NFL. 

There was an obvious void opposite budding star pass rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton (30 hurries, five sacks).

Not anymore, though. 

Carter’s move doesn’t suddenly create an issue at linebacker, either. 

The Nittany Lions played a ton of three-linebacker looks last season with Carter, Kobe King and Curtis Jacobs, but new Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen is likely to run way more nickel (just two linebackers) or dime packages in 2024.

Jacobs is off to the league, but King is back and sophomore linebacker Tony Rojas (the team’s top defensive signee in the 2023 class) is ready for an expanded role. 

Carter’s shift allows Penn State to get its best players on the field at the same time.

Overall, the move makes total sense. There’s likely to be a bit of a learning curve, but Carter is too talented not to make the transition work. Penn State is gunning for a College Football Playoff berth this fall, which largely will be determined by the growth of Drew Allar under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. But the defense can’t afford a backslide, and with Carter now set to play a position that more suits his strengths, they shouldn’t.