Two Penn State linebackers make top-10 list ahead of 2023 season

On Tuesday, On3 released its top-10 linebackers list ahead of the 2023 season this fall. As most know, the Nittany Lions’ spring ball is fast-approaching, and with that, there has been a lot of excitement surrounding PSU football. On3’s list boosts that hype even more seeing as two Penn State linebackers cracked the top-10.

The Top 10 College Football Linebackers heading into the 2023 season?https://t.co/sh9Qp11bHn pic.twitter.com/uf9oKSeQZD

— On3 (@On3sports) February 28, 2023

Penn State linebackers make top-10 linebackers

Penn State football is known nationally as “LBU,” meaning the Nittany Lions are most famous for developing prospects into elite linebackers. How fitting that on the same day as landing a four-star linebacker in the 2025 class, two Penn State linebackers were listed in On3’s top-10 linebackers heading into the 2023 season.

Penn State’s two linebackers are as many as the rest of the Big Ten combined — the only other Big Ten players on On3’s list are Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio State) and Ernest Hausmann (Michigan).

Abdul Carter ranks No. 2

On the list, Penn State’s rising sophomore sensation ranks No. 2 heading into the new season. A season ago, as a true freshman, Carter earned a starting roll spring spring ball, and posted 56 tackles (36 solo), 6.5 sacks, and forced two fumbles. Additionally, Carter earned Freshman All-America honors from many outlets.

Curtis Jacobs ranks No. 10

The other Nittany Lion in the top-10 is rising redshirt junior Curtis Jacobs, who has earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention in both of his seasons as a starter thus far. Throughout his 2022 campaign, Jacobs helped lead an elite Penn State defense to an 11-2 season, which concluded on January 2nd with a Rose Bowl win over No. 8 Utah. Jacobs posted 52 tackles (29 solo), four sacks, one fumble forced, and two fumble recoveries.

Jacobs and Carter are two massive names to watch this season — both of these Penn State linebackers are gunning for All-Big Ten, All-America, and more this fall.

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