Abdul Carter’s three-year run in Happy Valley is already etched into program lore. The Philadelphia native arrived as a four-star recruit, blossomed into the Big Ten’s most disruptive defender, and left as Penn State’s highest draft pick in seven years. Now, as a rookie with the New York Giants, Carter carries the same relentless motor that made him a Nittany Lion favorite.
North Philly Roots and Recruiting Buzz
Carter grew up in North Philadelphia and starred at La Salle College High School, where his blend of length, burst, and closing speed turned heads on the Mid-Atlantic recruiting circuit. By the time he finished his senior season with 78 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and an invitation to the Big 33 Football Classic, Carter was courted by bluebloods across the country. He ultimately chose Penn State over South Carolina and Ole Miss, citing the staff’s plan to deploy him as a hybrid linebacker who could rush the passer or drop in coverage.
Instant Impact as a True Freshman
Penn State wasted little time throwing its prized recruit into the fire. Carter appeared in all 13 games in 2022 and finished with 56 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. The numbers matched the eye test: he was the rare freshman who could stack and shed linemen on one snap and carry tight ends up the seam on the next. His 6.5 sacks were the most by a Nittany Lion freshman since Micah Parsons.
Sophomore Refinement and a Position Shift
Offenses spent the 2023 offseason planning for Carter, and his raw production dipped slightly (48 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks). The staff responded by moving him closer to the line of scrimmage, turning the 6-foot-3, 250-pounder into a stand-up edge rusher. The tweak allowed Carter to rush with a wider alignment, where his first step and violent hands could do the most damage.
A Monster 2024 and National Hardware
The position change unlocked a monster junior campaign. Carter piled up 68 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss (the third-best single-season mark in school history), 12 sacks, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. He routinely wrecked drives on his own, especially in Penn State’s October gauntlet against Ohio State, UCLA, and Iowa. Coaches praised his film study and how quickly he diagnosed protection schemes, a big reason he was voted the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous First-Team All-American.
Draft Night With the Giants
NFL scouts saw the same explosiveness and versatility, and the New York Giants pounced. Carter went third overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, becoming Penn State’s highest selection since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 in 2018. New York plans to use him as a movable chess piece in defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s front, pairing him with fellow edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux to chase quarterbacks in the NFC East.
Legacy in Happy Valley
Carter finished his Penn State career with 172 tackles, 43.5 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, and five forced fumbles. Beyond the stats, he became a tone-setter in the locker room: honest in film sessions, vocal on the practice field, and generous with younger linebackers. His rise from La Salle to Beaver Stadium to the NFL mirrors Penn State’s reputation for churning out high-end defenders.
As the Nittany Lions try to navigate a turbulent 2025 season without him, Carter’s blueprint remains: relentless pass-rush pressure, smart run fits, and a knack for delivering the hit that changes the entire game plan. New York fans are already beginning to learn what Penn State fans have known for three years, when Abdul Carter pins his ears back, chaos follows.