Penn State football: Abdul Carter labeled as one of college football’s next superstars

Few players around the Penn State football program have generated more buzz early this offseason than Abdul Carter. With a position change now official, the linebacker-turned-defensive end will create much intrigue as he transitions to life on the defensive line in the coming months. But the Nittany Lions standout is garnering national attention as well, recently being identified as one of the emerging superstars in college football for the 2024 season.

Abdul Carter named as a rising superstar for the 2024 college football season

Opposing offenses have known about Abdul Carter since very early on in his college football career. Carter was an instant impact player as a true freshman, recording 10.5 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks in six starts and 13 games played.

While his production behind the line of scrimmage dipped in 2023, the sophomore linebacker still put on a first-team All-Big Ten-caliber performance with 49 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and an interception.

Heading into his junior season, Abdul Carter is already being pegged as potentially one of the top players in the sport. Over the weekend, noted 247Sports writer Chris Hummer named his next wave of college football superstars for 2024. Carter was listed prominently on Hummer’s list, both for his play-disrupting potential and his recent position change.

“When given the opportunity during the first two seasons of his career, Carter has shown to be a gifted pass rusher,” Hummer wrote. “The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Pennsylvania native posted 6.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2022 and a 90.3 PFF college pass-rushing grade this season. Carter didn’t rush the passer often — just 112 times in 2023 — but he was remarkably efficient in doing so, creating a pressure on 25% of those attempts.”

Even with losing potential first-round NFL Draft pick Chop Robinson, Hummer envisions a dynamic duo off the edge for Penn State football in 2024 with Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton.

“He’s strong, super athletic, and has natural pass-rush instincts,” added Hummer. “Carter is a more than capable replacement for Chop Robinson, and he and Dani Dennis-Sutton could form one of the nation’s most dangerous pass-rushing duos next season.”

Penn State football staff comments on Carter’s position change

Since Abdul Carter’s move from linebacker to edge was only made official in mid-February, there’s been limited interaction with James Franklin and Nittany Lions coaches to discuss the position change.

However, a member of the Penn State football staff did comment on the decision last week, when strength and conditioning coach Chuck Losey talked about Carter’s natural physical transition to defensive end.

“Abdul is a physically gifted kid,” Losey expressed. “His body can pretty much go in whatever direction we want it to. So for me to stand here and say, well, we got this plan to put 20 pounds on, I mean, he’s still a young guy who’s only going to be in his third year. His frame is still filling out. So, he’s naturally growing into that position.”

With spring practice on the horizon, we’ll soon have our first opportunities to see Abdul Carter working along the defensive line. Penn State football will host its annual Blue-White Game on April 13 inside Beaver Stadium.

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