Penn State linebacker turned defensive end Abdul Carter is making a good impression this spring as he continues to transition into a new role on the defensive side of the ball. For an All-American talent like Carter, it’s not a shock he’s still learning the ropes and figuring things out, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for him to surprise his coaches.
“As you guys all know, Abdul is very, very talented,” Penn State coach James Franklin said on Tuesday after practice. “The transition has probably gone better and faster than I thought it would. It’s a different world up there [at defensive end]. Sounds good. But it’s a major difference. And he’s really transitioned very, very well. He’s been physical. He’s been explosive off of the edge. There are still some things he’s learning, but his transition has probably gone better and faster than anticipated.”
Carter’s change comes at an interesting time for a defense that is also working in new defensive coordinator Tom Allen after a long stint as Indiana’s head coach. For Allen he’s all too familiar with what Carter can do – he has recorded seven tackles against Allen coached teams. But now working on the same sideline, working towards the same goal, Allen is happy to be in a place where he can continue to help Carter grow and simply enjoy watching the talented junior work.
And much like Franklin, Allen is happy with how far Carter has come this spring, and is optimistic about how much further he can still go.
“Like any new position, it takes time to learn the techniques and fundamentals of that position,” Allen told StateCollege.com on Wednesday. “And especially now you’re in playing a different kind of world of big men, you’re right up there close [to the line of scrimmage.] He has obviously been in the box as a linebacker, but when you’re lining up over offensive tackles, and offensive linemen every snap, that’s a little bit different.
“But the talent piece is obviously there and I think he’s done a really good job,” Allen continued. “I do think he’ll continue to get better and better throughout even the course of the summer and into fall camp. And as he just plays the position more and more and learn more about instead is it more so obviously he’s a special talent, and he’s a guy that practices hard and cares about what he’s doing it so to me, it’s about just helping him grow.”
It will be interesting to see how the change impacts Carter’s production in the long run, already a pending All-American level linebacker with over 100 career tackles to his name. But with just 4.5 sacks last season, getting Carters’ high-end athleticism that much closer to the line of scrimmage could unlock even more potential and create even more problems in opposing backfield. A good sign for a defense that has finished in the Top 10 of total sacks three out of the last five years.
