Barth’s 2025 Draft Profiles: Penn State OLB Abdul Carter scouting report
Abdul Carter made the move from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher this past season at Penn State, with great results. His new position now has him in line to be…
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 09: Abdul Carter #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a defensive play during the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesAbdul Carter made the move from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher this past season at Penn State, with great results. His new position now has him in line to be a top five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Abdul Carter scouting report
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images<em><sup>Abdul Carter reacts during the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)</sup></em>
Background
College: Penn State
Rookie year age: 21
Height: 6’3
Weight: 252
Awards: Unanimous All-American (2024), Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2024), First-Team All-Big Ten (2023, 2024), Second-Team All-Big Ten (2022)
Abdul Carter was a four-star recruit, but not nationally ranked coming out of high school in the Class of 2022. Coming out of high school he was an off-ball linebacker, and played that position in his first two years at Penn State. Starting as a true freshman he was a three-down player and used more in coverage than as a rusher, with 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson anchoring the Nittany Lions' pass rush.
Last year Carter moved to playing primarily on the edge, and had tremendous success. He went from being projected as a fringe-top 50 pick to the top of the first round. Typically players making a position change have more questions in the draft, but he adjusted exceptionally well.
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Stats
| Season | Team | Class | Games | Tackles | TFL | Pressure | Sacks | PBU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Penn St. | FR | 13 | 56 | 11 | 20 | 6.5 | 4 |
| 2023 | Penn St. | SO | 13 | 48 | 6 | 28 | 4.5 | 5 |
| 2024 | Penn St. | JR | 16 | 68 | 24 | 66 | 12.0 | 4 | Career | 42 | 172 | 41 | 114 | 23.0 | 13 |
Strengths
-Off the charts athleticism will make him a handful for even experienced NFL tackles
-Quick first step allows him to begin rushes with the upper hand more often than not
-Body control and flexibility play into his pass rush repertoire
-Athleticism and pursuit instincts allow him to make plays behind the line of scrimmage on runs, scrambles, screens, and checkdowns
-Plays with a high motor and good physicality
-Should primarily be a pass rusher in the NFL, but has experience to play off the ball if needed (especially in coverage)
Weaknesses
-Inconsistent in setting the edge and playing contain against the run
-Is a true outside linebacker - doesn't have the size to line up with his hand down as a defensive end
-Still rounding out his game technically as a pass rusher
Video breakdown
Bottom line
There may not be a better pure athlete in this draft than Abdul Carter. He's still growing as a pass rusher, but the fact that he developed at the position as much as he did in one year speaks volumes to his ability to be coached and grow his game. In a defense that will let him pin his ears back and go, he has a chance to be one of the top pass rushers in the NFL.
