Penn State football star Abdul Carter makes career changing decision

The Penn State football community missed the last season of Micah Parsons’ college football career. Due to COVID-19, Parsons decided to opt out and prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. We saw Parsons dominate as a linebacker but once he got to the NFL he found his true position at defensive end. Well, what if I told you the Nittany Lion faithful will get to see that transition on the field in 2024? But this time, instead of Micah Parsons it’s Abdul Carter who has decided to change positions from linebacker to defensive end ahead of the 2024 season. Carter joins Penn State teammates Mehki Flowers, Lamont Payne, and Tyrece Mills who have all changed positions.

Penn State football star Abdul Carter makes career changing decision

Versatility is the name of the game if you want to get to the NFL. Abdul Carter will now be able to show NFL scouts that specific skill on the field. He already has two years of tape at linebacker and now he will have a season at defensive end for scouts to evaluate. According to the official Penn State football roster Carter has shifted to a defensive end ahead of the 2024 season. So far, in his Penn State career, he has racked up 105 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks.

One of the concerns heading into 2024 was the depth at defensive end. Dani Dennis-Sutton has proven to be a future star but behind him was some young talent that has yet to see many meaningful game reps. Now, the Nittany Lions have a two-headed monster at defensive end in Dennis-Sutton and Carter.

This also leads to the conclusion that Tom Allen and James Franklin are comfortable with the young linebacker rotation. Expect players such as Tony Rojas and Kaveion Keys to have larger roles in 2024 with Carter headed to defensive end.

Additional position changes

Abdul Carter wasn’t the only Nittany Lion who has changed positions. Others include 2022 recruiting class member Mehki Flowers who has switched positions from safety to wide receiver. Flowers had 50 catches for 850 yards during his senior year of high school.

2023 recruiting class member Lamont Payne has made a position change from cornerback to safety. Tyrece Mills a JUCO transfer from Lackawanna Community College ahead of the 2022 season has switched from safety to linebacker where he played during the 2022 season with the Nittany Lions.

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