Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter one of 12 on Big Ten's preseason honors list
Penn State junior Abdul Carter has not yet taken an in-game snap at defensive end. Yet, that did not keep the former all-conference linebacker from making the 2024 Big Ten preseason honors list. The Nittany Lion was one of 12 players recognized by the league and the only one from his team. Carter is moving positions this year, as he’ll now impact the game from the first line of the Lions’ defense as opposed to the middle of it.
“I remember when we recruited Abdul,” Penn State coach James Franklin said on in March. “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 I think for a number of reasons. And, we’re excited about it.
“Obviously we’ve lost some defensive ends this past year that were highly productive. We feel really good about the current room. But, obviously being able to inject Abdul into that room as well is going to be a positive for us as well.”
All signs point to the transition being smooth for the Pennsylvania native this spring. He is joined on the Big Ten preseason honors list by Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins, defensive tackle Mason Graham, defensive back Will Johnson, and tight end Colston Loveland from Michigan, Oregon quarterback Dylan Gabriel and wide receiver Tez Johnson, Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai, and an Ohio State quartet of safety Caleb Downs, wide receiver Emega Egbuka, running back Treyveon Henderson, and defensive lineman JT Tuimololau.
Penn State DE Abdul Carter is already receiving NFL Draft buzz
Numerous publications put out their early 2025 NFL Draft boards this spring. Carter, who enters his third season at Penn State, was on all of them. Matt Miller of ESPN offered particularly high praise of the Nittany Lion.
“Abdul Carter, we’re gonna see him wear No. 11 For Penn State. We know how important that number is to the Nittany Lions,” Miller said. “Moving from linebacker to a full-time role as an edge rusher. “I expect him to explode onto the NFL Draft scene this year. He’s a player we’ve been tracking for about three seasons as a draft prospect so he’s very good.”
Carter is also a second-team All-American by Phil Steele. He will make his debut at defensive end when Penn State opens the season on Aug. 31 at West Virginia.
