Penn State moving Abdul Carter to defensive end excites former teammates; here's why
Penn State football made plenty of headlines in February. None was bigger than the revelation from the middle of the month that indicated All-Big Ten linebacker Abdul Carter is moving to defensive end ahead of the 2024 season. Lions coach James Franklin and new defensive coordinator Tom Allen have not yet publically addressed the switch. But, it makes plenty of sense, as Carter can pass rush well and also has the ability to drop into coverage, which will allow Allen to utilize him in numerous ways this fall. And, three former teammates are excited about what that will look like.
“I think he’ll be excellent,” former Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac told reporters at the NFL Combine on Wednesday. “He’s kind of a unique skill set where you can plug and play him anywhere. I feel like him moving to end is going to heighten what he can do on the field even to a higher spectrum.
“Obviously it takes a little more technique at d-end. It’s a little different kind of mindset. But you know, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem for him at all moving to d-end and having that upside at d-end as well.”
Another former Nittany Lion, defensive end Chop Robinson, agreed.
“I think he’s going to do great,” Robinson said. “To me, he’s a natural guy at football, so wherever you put him, I think he’ll make a great impact.”
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“We talked here and there, [and] we mainly talked about checking up with each other. We haven’t really talked about ball. But I know if he needs some tips, he’ll come to me and I’ll also come to him, because he’s good at pass rushing himself.”
Added Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs per PFF: “A lot of quarterbacks will be sacked.”
More: Penn State at the NFL Combine: How, when, to watch the Lions in Indianapolis this week
Carter moving to defensive end undoubtedly is tied, at least in some regard even if a small one, to Isaac and Robinson preparing for the NFL Draft. He joins a group at defensive end that includes Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zuriah Fisher, Amin Vanover, and Jameial Lyons, among others, who all hope to replace the pair’s production.
“We have guys like the Adisa, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Amin Vanover, Zuriah Fisher, Zane Durant, Hakeem [Beamon], D’von [Ellies], and when you have guys like that, it’s hard for a team to just focus just on you because you have good dogs they have to worry about,” Robinson said.
