Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter named Associated Press second-team All-American
Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter continues to rack up preseason awards, this time being named second-team All-America by the Associated Press.
Listed at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Carter has been a consistent contributor throughout his first two years on campus. As a freshman in 2022, Carter instantly had a major impact, totaling 56 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks playing linebacker. He then followed that up with 48 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks his sophomore season. Now, he’s making the switch to edge rusher, as both Penn State’s staff and Carter believe that’s best for both his future and the team’s success this upcoming season.
“He’s a difference-maker type of guy,” said Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen. “So, you want him to be able to have multiple skill sets so he can impact the game at different positions. I feel like he is nothing but an asset to us and we’ll continue to balance that all out and allow him to be able to be totally prepared for game day in whatever role that might be.”
Carter was asked about his move to edge rusher during Penn State’s preseason media day earlier this month.
Link: Penn State defense blending new with old in Tom Allen’s first season
“I feel like I can play any position on the field. So, definitely, going from linebacker to defensive end wasn’t hard at all for me. I just know I’m a natural football player,” Carter said. “And wherever I line up, I’m going to find a way to impact the game.”
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He added, “I think the biggest thing for me just making the switch from linebacker to D-end is just the technical stuff,” Carter said. “Learning how to use my hands more, read an offensive tackle and knowing what I’m going to get. But the technical stuff is just the biggest for me. It’s repetition.”
Carter was one of 17 players in the Big Ten conference to earn first- or second-team honors by the Associated Press. He’s the only player from Penn State to make the list. Ohio State leads the way with six players making the cut, while both Michigan and Oregon had three players each. Iowa has two players who made the cut.
Below are the players in the Big Ten who were named to the AP’s preseason All-America list.
AP Preseason All-Americans in the Big Ten
First-Team
OL Donovan Jackson (Ohio State)
TE Colston Loveland (Michigan)
WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
DT Mason Grahman (Michigan)
LB Jay Higgins (Iowa)
CB Will Johnson (Michigan)
CB Denzel Burke (Ohio State)
Saf. Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
Second-Team
QB Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
RB TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
OL Ajani Cornelius (Oregon)
OL Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota)
WR Tez Johnson (Oregon)
DE Abdul Carter (Penn State)
DL Tyleik Williams (Ohio State)
CB Sebastian Castro (Iowa)
Saf. Dillon Thieneman (Purdue)
DB Ricardo Hallman (Wisconsin)
