Penn State junior Abdul Carter is one of four finalist for the Lombardi Award
Penn State junior defensive end Abdul Carter is one of four finalists for the Lombardi Award. It goes annually to college football’s best lineman. He is joined on the shaved list of contenders by Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, and South Carolina edge Kyle Kennard. The winner will be announced Dec. 11, 2024 in Houston. Carter is the Lions’ first finalist since letterman Carl Nassib won the honor in 2015.
“Abdul Carter is a disruptive, athletic edge who has started 25 games for the Nittany Lions at linebacker and defensive end,” the Lombardi Award committee wrote in placing Carter on the list of finalists. “With his speed and disruptive playstyle, he has cemented himself as one of the most dynamic defensive players in college football and is projected to be an early first-round NFL Draft selection.”
Carter is also up for the Bednarik Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. The former all-conference linebacker who moved to defensive end in 2024 is likely to land on the All-Big Ten first-team. He should garner All-American accolades, as well. Entering the penultimate week of the regular season, he has 45 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles. He is first in the Big Ten and second nationally in TFLs. And, he’s 13th nationally in sacks.
More: Penn State-Minnesota matchups: Who will have the edge on Saturday in Minneapolis?
“When you watch the tape, the guy is impactful,” Penn State coach James Franklin said on Monday. “Whether it’s sacks, whether it’s tackles for loss, whether it’s holding calls, whether it is obvious that they have a specific plan in how they’re trying to limit his impact, keeping tight ends in, keeping running backs in, always sliding in his direction so there’s double-team between the tackle and the guard. Like he is impacting the game in a number of ways. Which, creates opportunities for other guys on our defensive line and within our defense. And, causes a lot of headaches.
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“So he’s been great. His attitude’s been great. He is coachable. He is becoming more and more of a leader every single day.”
Penn State returns to action Saturday at Minnesota. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. CBS will televise the game.
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