Penn State football standout Abdul Carter will be moving from linebacker to defensive end this year, according to a roster update made by the program on Thursday.
The rising junior makes the switch after spending his first two years with the Nittany Lions as a linebacker. The move is a notable one and the first under new defensive coordinator Tom Allen, although Allen was likely not the only person involved with the decision.
Carter finished off last year as a first-team All-Big Ten and ESPN All-American selection after racking up 48 tackles (5.5 for loss) over the course of the year. He sustained an injury during Penn State’s loss to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl but continued to play in spite of the knock. In addition to his 48 tackles, Carter also registered 4.5 sacks and one interception. He posted similar numbers during his freshman campaign after coming to Penn State by way of Philadelphia.
The move is not quite a surprise in the sense that Penn State is looking to bolster its defensive end grouping following the departures of both Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac, who are both expected to be early-round selections in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. In their absence, Penn State will likely turn to Dani Dennis-Sutton to start at the one defensive end spot, and it seems unlikely the 6-3, 250-pound Carter would make this move without the expectation that he would either start or in the very least be a major and regular contributor in the role. Aside from Carter, Zuriah Fisher, Jameial Lyons, Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert are all in line to make meaningful contributions this season at defensive end.
Back at linebacker, Penn State will not be short on options. Rising sophomore Tony Rojas, returning starter Kobe King and Dominic DeLuca, alongside a host of other options, such as Keon Wylie and Tyler Elsdon, give the Nittany Lions a healthy depth chart of choice to work with.
