Abdul Carter and his move from linebacker to defensive end was one of the biggest storylines of the offseason for Penn State and for the NFL Draft community.
Carter, one of the most disruptive players in college football, was projected this summer as a 2025 first-round pick. Draft expert Dane Brugler ranked Carter as his No. 2 player overall ahead of the season, noting Carter’s “impact potential” to be a Micah Parsons-like player.
But has Carter lived up to that potential through two games at his new position? It depends on what you look at and who you ask.
“I feel like it’s going good,” Carter said after Week 2. “I just have to keep getting reps, getting experience, getting games. I feel like I’m just getting started. The best is yet to come.”
Statistically, Carter will hope that’s true. The preseason All-American has not logged a sack and has only one tackle for loss through two games. Carter registered seven tackles (five solo) against Bowling Green but only one at West Virginia.
The advanced stats aren’t in the junior’s favor, either. Carter’s Pro Football Focus pass-rushing grade (64.5) ranks 65th in the FBS among edge rushers with at least 40 pass-rushing snaps. Carter has generated just three pressures on 46 pass-rushing snaps, according to PFF.
Now, what constitutes a “pressure” is a bit subjective. But, objectively, Carter hasn’t sacked the quarterback. He made the move from linebacker to defensive end to get after the passer, and the numbers — traditional and advanced — suggest he isn’t doing that.
But James Franklin would argue that, if you watched the West Virginia game and keyed in on No. 11, you would see that Carter impacted the Mountaineer offense.
“He was disruptive,” Franklin said. “We talk in our building about real football, about studying more than just statistics. There are times where he’s taking on two blockers. A couple of them could have been called holding. He’s splitting two blockers and they’re unable to come off him, and either a linebacker or another defensive lineman gets the sack or tackle for loss.”
Justin Lustig, Penn State’s special teams coordinator who also works with the defense, noticed West Virginia and Bowling Green were chipping Carter with tight ends and keeping running backs in to protect on his side. That takes away options from the offense.
“Even though his sack numbers aren’t high, the disruption that he’s making, you know, he’s a problem,” Lustig said. “His value shows up in a lot of ways.”
Now, not everything was glowing from the coaches. Franklin acknowledged Carter has to clean up the penalties. He was offside twice and was flagged for a late hit out of bounds in Morgantown. Last week, Franklin said Carter’s “ability to take some constructive criticism and be accountable was really, really impressive.”
That will have to continue as the season progresses because changing positions isn’t a seamless transition. There was excitement around Carter’s switch to defensive end. It was a logical move for him and his NFL future. It also made sense for Penn State after losing Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac. Carter, who had 11 sacks in his first two years, is a weapon. But it’s not a surprise to see him go through growing pains.
Fans want to see sacks. NFL teams want to see production. Carter wants that for himself, and Franklin wants that for his defense, a unit with only two total sacks through two games.
But Franklin and his staff remain confident that tangible production will come from the pass rush and that Carter, despite a slow statistical start, will play an integral role.
“I think he’s going to have a big year for us,” Franklin said. “And I think he’s setting himself up for really bright things in his future, as well.”
Added Carter: “It’s about being unselfish, helping my teammates make plays and not trying to force anything or do too much. Play within the system, do my job and the plays will come to me.”