ESPN: Penn State DE Abdul Carter among CFB’s top performers

Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter has had a big week. Following a five tackle performance in the Nittany Lions’ 33-30 overtime win at Southern Cal last Saturday, the star junior defender has been the subject of multiple midseason awards and accolades across the college football landscape.

Most recently, that included his inclusion on ESPN’s ranking of the top 25 players in the sport at the season’s midpoint.

“We compiled our top 25 players at the halfway mark of the season, considering their impact on the field, their potential for the second half, and their overall talent and ability to change the game,” ESPN writes. “In the end, these 25 players have defined the first seven weeks of the season and can help tell the story of how 2024 will ultimately look when we get to the playoff.”

Carter is tied for third on Penn State’s defense with 27 tackles. He also has team-high marks in TFLs (9.5) and sacks (4.0). Behind those numbers, ESPN placed Carter at No. 22 on its list.

From writer Bill Connelly in the piece:

“Penn State’s defense is awesome more often than not, but maintaining a high level in 2024 was going to require some veterans to raise their game. Carter has done just that. After recording 14.5 tackles for loss in 2022-23, he’s already at 11 in just six games this season. He’s making a tackle on 18.4% of snaps — one every 5.4 plays — and against Illinois he had one of the best games you’ll ever see from a defender: 9 tackles, 5 TFLs and 3 run stops, plus 6 pressures and 2 sacks. Coordinator Tom Allen lines him up everywhere from inside linebacker to defensive end, and he thrives in whatever he’s asked to do.”

Abdul Carter versatility shines for Penn State

As highlighted by Connelly, Carter’s versatility is a big piece of Penn State’s plan to maximize his effectiveness. Able to rush the quarterback with the best of college football’s performers, standing 14th in the category according to PFF this season, Carter has also dropped into coverage and steadily defended the run.

“I think he’s doing a tremendous job. I think you can just see his comfort level at edge or defensive end is growing each week, and it will continue to enhance ways of utilizing him in different ways,” Allen said. “But, he’s been very impactful. TFLs, sacks. Just doing a great job of making offenses account for him in every way, having specific game plans to block him. 

“I just think that he causes offenses to have to know where he’s at. We don’t want them to know where he’s going to line up across the front. We’ll even line up at linebacker. And just continuing to grow those things. And to me, I think he’s progressing really well. He’s got to keep allowing ourselves to be creative with him and allow him to be in a position to make plays.”

Other national and Big Ten recognition has been plentiful for Carter this week. He is one of 16 quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Award, the BTN’s co-defensive MVP, and the No. 3 overall selection in an updated ESPN NFL mock draft.

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