Penn State’s run towards the nationwide championship got here to an finish Thursday evening. Because of this, the staff’s underclassmen are actually in a position to flip their consideration to the draft; as anticipated, one of many prime prospects within the 2025 class will flip professional.
Edge rusher Abdul Carter has determined to enter April’s draft, as noted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The junior has lengthy been anticipated to take that route as soon as his season ended, and he’s now on observe to be one of many first gamers chosen on both aspect of the ball. Carter loved a stellar 2024 marketing campaign, the primary by which he transitioned from inside linebacker to defensive finish.
The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder racked up 11 sacks throughout his first two seasons, however he surpassed that complete this yr. His sack throughout Thursday’s CFP semifinal loss to Notre Dame was his twelfth of the marketing campaign; Carter additionally registered 24 tackles for loss and a pair of compelled fumbles throughout the season. These totals helped him win the Large Ten Defensive Participant of the 12 months award along with consensus All-American honors. He’s the primary Nittany Lion to earn the latter honor since Saquon Barkley in 2017.
A number of edge rushers are thought-about locks to go within the first spherical, however Carter has lengthy been thought-about the best choice on the place. He sits at the top of ESPN’s Scouts Inc. board, whereas Mel Kiper slots him second overall behind solely two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter. No scarcity of groups will present curiosity over the approaching months as they consider this yr’s prime prospects.
With the Titans, Browns and Giants occupying the highest three spots within the 2025 draft order, quarterback figures to be a place of curiosity on the prime of the board. Each Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders might hear their names referred to as earlier than Carter does, however as soon as groups with out a right away QB want are on the clock — the Patriots and Jaguars respectively personal the fourth and fifth picks — he will definitely be a reputation to look at.
