All-Big Ten defender Abdul Carter is the talk of the Penn State football program at the start of the spring practice. The third-year Nittany Lion is moving from linebacker to defensive end ahead of the 2024 season. According to head coach James Franklin, the Philadelphia native and his dad, Christopher, approached the coaching staff about making the move after the 2023 season. And, all of them, including new defensive coordinator Tom Allen, were all-in on the idea.
“I remember when we recruited Abdul,” Franklin said on Tuesday. “I thought he was a defensive end, and Abdul and Dad were adamant that he was a linebacker. The reality is we just wanted him in our program and knew he was going to be a really good player wherever he decided to play. But, this wasn’t really something from us. This was Abdul really wanted to make this move I think for a number of reasons. And, we’re excited about it.
“Obviously we’ve lost some defensive ends this past year that were highly productive. We feel really good about the current room. But, obviously being able to inject Abdul into that room as well is going to be a positive for us as well.”
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Carter joins a defensive line room that is looking to replace a pair of starters in Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac. They were both at the Nittany Lions’ Pro Day on Friday. And, both are off to the NFL in April. Junior Dani Dennis-Sutton, who the program viewed as a third starter last season, is back. He figures to man one of the first-team spots. Carter will likely slot into the other. Players Zuriah Fisher, Amin Vanover, Smith Vilbert, Jameial Lyons, and others will slot in behind them in a rotation for position coach Deion Barnes.
Franklin said the position switch was also made in part because Carter, who now stands 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, was struggling to keep his weight low enough to do all that is asked of the Penn State linebackers.
“I think his body was naturally telling him he could make the move if he needed to and wanted to. And, there’s an opportunity there,” Franklin said. “So having depth and talent and the type of length that we want at the defensive end position, I think this is going to be kind of a win-win for everybody. I know Abdul is excited about it. And, we’re looking forward to have an opportunity to work with him. But, it is a big change. He’s never really done this before. And, it is a big change.”
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Penn State assistant athletic director for athletic performance – football Chuck Losey agreed.
“Abdul, is a physiclaly gifted kid,” Losey said in late February. “His body can pretty much go in whatever direction we want it to. So for me to stand here and say, well, we got this plan to put 20 pounds on, I mean, he’s still a young guy who’s only going to be in his third year. His frame is still filling out. So, he’s naturally growing into that position.”
Past Nittany Lions are on board with the change
Robinson believes Carter is primed for a big season at his new position. He spoke with reporters after finishing up his Pro Day work on Friday.
“I feel like that’s a good move for him,” Robinson said. “He’s so natural as a pass rusher and just an athlete. So when he gets with Deion and they’re just working on the little details or finishes, as a player, he’ll be unstoppable. I talked to him. He’s a natural pass rusher anyway because he was coming with blitzes and stuff like that with Coach Manny. So it’s something he’s already used to. He’s just being on the line of scrimmage every single play.”
The future early-round draft pick also doesn’t think the move will be a huge deal for Carter from a learning perspective.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a big difference,” Robinson said. “The only difference is, you come in from depth. And, you get more speed getting to the quarterback and offensive lineman. But when you’re on the line, you just got to get off fast and the person is right in front of you. So that’s the biggest difference right there.”
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Franklin, however, made clear that he believes the switch will be one that takes time to master.
“It’s not just like you make the decision to move and you snap your fingers and automatically you’re a defensive end,” Franklin said. “It’s a different world the closer you get to the ball. Just like it’s a different world if you move back to the secondary. We’re excited about watching his development and growth, and it should be exciting.”
Other former Penn State players are excited about the move, too. They see the former four-star recruit from the Class of 2022 as a natural fit at his new home on the field.
“I think he’ll be excellent,” Isaactold reporters at the NFL Combine “He’s kind of a unique skill set where you can plug and play him anywhere. I feel like him moving to end is going to heighten what he can do on the field even to ahigher spectrum.
“Obviously it takes a little more technique at d-end. It’s a little different kind of mindset. But you know, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem for him at all moving to d-end and having that upside at d-end as well.”
Added Lions linebackerCurtis Jacobsper Pro Football Focus: “A lot of quarterbacks will be sacked.”
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Carter has not yet been made available to reporters this spring. But, he looks terrific from a size perspective at his new position. How well he performs at it remains to be seen. But after a highly productive start to his career — 104 tackles (16 for loss), 11 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles, and nine pass breakups — it stands to reason that this will likely be his best season yet. That’s because he is going to be directed to do what he does best: Disrupt the opposing backfield and bring ball carriers to the ground behind the line of scrimmage.
“I think he’s going to do great,” Robinson said. “To me, he’s a natural guy at football, so wherever you put him, I think he’ll make a great impact.”
“We talked here and there, [and] we mainly talked about checking up with each other. We haven’t really talked about ball. But I know if he needs some tips, he’ll come to me. And, I’ll also come to him, because he’s good at pass rushing himself.”
