Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter (11) pretends to conduct the Blue Band as they play the alma mater following a White Out football game against Iowa Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions shut out the Hawkeyes, 31-0.
Abdul Carter DE/EDGE Penn State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Abdul Carter DE/EDGE Penn State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 01/10/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (99%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 01/10/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (99%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 89.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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65% |
| Pass Rush: |
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100% |
| Run Defense: |
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82% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 10
Overall Rank:
#6
Position rank:
#2
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| College Games: 41 College Snaps: 1784 | ||
ESPN RATING: 80/100
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chop Robinson - Penn State |
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99% |
| Drake Jackson - USC |
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91% |
| Jared Verse - Florida State |
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88% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A standout two-sport athlete (Basketball) at La Salle College High School, Abdul Carter earned team MVP honors while leading his squad to a PCL Championship and 9-2 record as a senior. The two-time all-state selection and All-American Bowl invitee dominated his final season with 78 tackles (53 solo) and 10 tackles for loss before bringing his talents to Penn State.Carter's impact was immediate in Happy Valley, joining Deion Barnes as the only Penn State freshmen to record 10-plus tackles for loss and 6-plus sacks in a season. His freshman campaign (56 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks) earned him Freshman All-American honors and All-Big Ten recognition. Following a strong sophomore season where he started all 13 games and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, Carter elevated his game further in 2024.
His junior year proved historic as he amassed 17.5 tackles for loss (2nd nationally) and eight sacks in just 10 starts. Carter's dominance included two separate four-TFL performances against Illinois and Washington, earning him semifinalist nominations for several major awards including the Walter Camp Player of the Year. His season total of 24 tackles for loss set a new benchmark, surpassing the collegiate production of future NFL stars like Myles Garrett and the Bosa brothers.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Super athletic - Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List at #43. He Wrote: "Carter flashed spectacular talent as a true freshman, making 10.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks and breaking up four passes. At 6-3, 250, Carter clocked a 4.48 40, had a 4.35 shuttle and broad-jumped 10-7. He also power-cleaned 350."
- First-step explosion off the edge is special, consistently beating tackles to their kick-slide and forcing quarterbacks to climb or bail from clean pockets
- Natural bend and ankle flexion allows him to run the arc tight to the tackle's hip, showing advanced ability to reduce surface area while turning the corner
- Brings the thunder as a tackler, generating explosive power from his hips and consistently jarring the ball loose - forced multiple fumbles with vicious hits
- Shows nascent development of a cross-chop move that, combined with his burst, could become lethal as he refines his hand usage
- Background as a linebacker shows up in his spatial awareness and ability to process pulling guards and tackle attempts in space
- Relentless motor and competitive toughness - plays through the whistle and shows some serious dog in pursuit of the quarterback
- Length and closing speed create problems even when initially blocked - multiple cleanup sacks showed ability to finish plays others can't reach
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Raw in his pass rush plan - relies heavily on pure athleticism and needs significant development in terms of counter moves and hand fighting technique
- Pad level rises when attacking upfield, allowing offensive tackles to get into his frame and control his rush path too easily
- Still learning to set a proper edge against the run - gets caught peeking inside and creates cutback lanes by losing containment
- Lacks the play strength to consistently anchor against double teams and down blocks - can get washed down the line on power runs
- Tackling form breaks down in space, leading to missed opportunities to finish plays he creates with his disruption
- Arrested after after a confrontation with a tow-truck driver in 2024. Although this looks like a one off.
Scouting Report: Summary
Carter projects as an immediate impact pass rush specialist with sky-high upside as he continues developing his technical skills. His explosive athleticism and natural ability to bend the edge will translate day one, particularly in sub-packages where he can pin his ears back and hunt quarterbacks. Smart defensive coordinators will deploy him primarily as a wide-9 technique early in his career, allowing him to maximize his burst while minimizing his current limitations against the run.The team that drafts Carter will need patience as he continues learning the nuances of edge play, but his ceiling is through the roof. His athletic profile and production despite position inexperience point to a player who could develop into a game-wrecking force off the edge. In a pass-first league, Carter's ability to generate pressure while still ascending technically makes him worthy of a top-15 selection.
The leap Carter made in 2024 suggests he's only beginning to tap into his potential. While there will be growing pains as he develops a more complete arsenal of rush moves and learns to play with consistent leverage, his combination of elite physical tools and rapid development curve portend a future as a defensive cornerstone.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Abdul Carter (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
7.1
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
2.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.