STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Abdul Carter is experiencing an unprecedented level of enjoyment in his football career, and his teammates on the third-ranked Penn State defense are reaping the benefits.
The players have taken great pleasure in Carter’s aggressive pass-rushing techniques, his ability to tackle from sideline to sideline, and his distinctive celebration style that features a stern look with arms crossed and a nodding head.
What resonates even more with his teammates, however, is the advantage they gain from Carter’s presence on the field. Opposing teams have to account for the versatile linebacker turned defensive end, allowing his teammates to have more opportunities to make plays.
Carter leads the Nittany Lions’ defense, which is currently ranked fourth in the nation, with four sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss, while also contributing to plays that may not show up in his own statistics.
“Have you seen my blitzes?” safety Jaylen Reed joked, hinting at his own rising number of sacks on the season. “They double team Abdul, and I don’t know why they leave me alone, but it’s definitely helping me and a lot of us out there.”
With a record of 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten, Penn State anticipates continuing this trend against the fourth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1, 3-1) this Saturday. The matchup is significant as it holds considerable implications for the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff.
Penn State might have an advantage in this critical game, as the Buckeyes are struggling with their blocking line. Carter is known to lineup anywhere on the line, adding to the unpredictability for opposing offenses.
Ohio State recently suffered a loss with starting left tackle Josh Simmons out for the season due to an injury sustained against Oregon on October 12. Zen Michalski stepped in to protect quarterback Will Howard’s blindside, but he will also be questionable for this week following a leg injury against Nebraska.
Head coach Ryan Day is aware of the challenges that come with facing Carter.
“They definitely need to keep track of where he is on the field,” Day acknowledged. “He’s a dynamic player. Whether it’s the pass game or the run game, teams must manage him very carefully.”
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen is aware of the talent Carter brings to the team. After joining Penn State to replace Manny Diaz during the offseason, Allen understood the potential of shifting Carter from linebacker to defensive end, a role he has embraced following two seasons as a linebacker.
Allen sought to strengthen the defensive end position after the departure of stars Adisa Isaac and Chop Robinson to the NFL. He recognized that playing Carter in his new role would maximize his physical attributes, as he weighs 251 pounds.
“Carter is becoming increasingly comfortable at the edge, and he’s enhancing our defensive strategy each week,” Allen noted. “His impact is significant, with tackles for loss and sacks, forcing offenses to develop specific game plans just to manage him.”
Carter often finds himself facing intense blocking measures on passing plays, with offensive tackles attempting to secure him while receivers and running backs chip in with blocks.
Even with increased attention from opposing teams, Carter has adjusted well. While he seeks to increase his sack numbers, he has still found numerous ways to disrupt offenses, recording three pass breakups, forcing a fumble, and getting three quarterback hurries.
Reed and fellow defensive back Cam Miller have leveraged the double coverage on Carter, resulting in a combined 2.5 sacks, while defensive linemen Zane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton have also contributed with a total of 4.5 sacks and ten tackles for loss.
“It doesn’t matter who the opposing player is; if you dedicate extra resources to me, someone else will likely face a one-on-one and succeed,” Carter remarked.
Reed recognized Carter’s potential from the first moment he saw him play as a freshman in 2022. His impressive size, speed, and instinct for getting to the quarterback immediately caught Reed’s attention.
“When he arrived and was making plays, he utilized blitzing and one-on-ones to great effect,” Reed shared. “I could tell back then that he was destined for greatness, especially considering his size at that weight.”
Now that he is playing in this optimal role, Carter is reveling in the experience.
“This is the most enjoyable I’ve ever felt playing football,” Carter expressed. “Being able to play in an aggressive role, rush the passer, and do what I do best is a thrill for me.”