Abdul Carter has been developing into the next impactful defender to come out of Penn State. Now, he has found his way onto more early mocks for the 2025 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Matt Miller released an updated board for the next draft on Tuesday with Carter going 16th overall to the Cleveland Browns. Miller then joined SportsCenter later on to discuss the mock, including Carter’s placement and trajectory. That includes the obvious impact that he’s going to have considering the number that he’s going to continue wearing for the Nittany Lions.
“Abdul Carter, we’re gonna see him wear No. 11 For Penn State. We know how important that number is to the Nittany Lions,” Miller said. “Moving from linebacker to a full-time role as an edge rusher.”
No. 11 has routinely gone to a top linebacker on the defense at Penn State. The tradition, which is also shared with the school’s lacrosse team, began with LaVar Arrington and has continued on with names like Micah Parsons.
Carter now carries the weight of that and has earned it with what he has done over two collegiate seasons. He comes into his junior season having appeared in 26 games, including 19 starts with 13 all coming as a sophomore, as an All Big-Ten honoree along with other national recognitions.
Those have come after posting 105 tackles, 16 of those being for loss, and 11 sacks. He has finished top-five in each statistic in both years, including leading the team in sacks with 6.5 as a true freshman in 2022. He has also put up 10 deflections, three forced fumbles, and an interception.
Carter has been on draft radars for some time now. The pop is still to come, though, with Miller expecting him to burst this season in University Park.
“I expect him to explode onto the NFL Draft scene this year. He’s a player we’ve been tracking for about three seasons as a draft prospect so he’s very good.”
James Franklin praises Carter for changing positions this spring
Abdul Carter has been one of the best players on the Penn State defense since he first arrived in State College. James Franklin has since asked him to take on a new challenge, though, by moving to become an edge rusher.
Back during spring ball, Franklin praised Carter. for the transition. In particular, he explained that the change of positions is going incredibly well despite how different the two positions are.
“As you guys all know, Abdul is very, very talented,” Franklin said. “The transition has probably gone better and faster than I thought it would. It’s a different world up there (at defensive end). It sounds good but it’s a major difference.”
“He has really transitioned very, very well,” Franklin said. “He has been physical, he has been explosive off of the edge. There are still some things he’s learning but his transition has probably gone better and faster than anticipated.”
The post ESPN’s Matt Miller projects Abdul Carter as a potential breakout prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft appeared first on On3.
