Penn state’s Abdul Carter confident in Top-4 pick as he limits visits to top-4 teams

Penn State Edge Abdul Carter finished the 2024 season with conference leading sacks and a total tackles of 68.

Penn state’s Abdul Carter confident in Top-4 pick as he limits visits to top-4 teams

Abdul Carter (Image via Imago)

As March comes to an end, the buzz revolving around the 2025 NFL Draft is all-time high. The discussions about who’s going first overall and how their team handles each pick are bustling in online social forums and group hangouts.

Initially starting as a low ranked option, Abdul Carter has quietly moved to the first position in several mock drafts. The Penn State Edge has triumphed over quarterback options Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, as well as two-way player Travis Hunter, in the aforementioned projections.

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In a recent revelation, apparently the Edge is confident about his chances of making the top four. Abdul Carter, although he skipped the Penn State pro day practice, showed his face to the media, where he asserted his belief that he is the top player in the 2025 draft class.

I think just my overall impact on the game. My versatility. I can play multiple positions, and I feel like most importantly I step up when I’m needed the most when crunch time comes around. When you need somebody to make that big play, I feel like I’m the guy who makes that big play.

Abdul Carter answered why he’s the best player in the upcoming draft via ESPN‘s Brooke Pryor

Furthermore, Albert Breer revealed that, as per his sources, Carter has scheduled 30 visits to the New York Giants and the New England Patriots in the coming weeks. He noted that Carter has already completed the same with the first row pick holders, i.e. Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns.

Carter, a three-season standout at Penn State, earned the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. In the last season, he recorded 12.0 sacks, a conference-leading 24 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, four passes defended, and 68 total tackles. Over the 2022-23 seasons, he amassed 11.0 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Abdul Carter sat out the Penn State Pro Day

Carter, one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, did not participate in Penn State’s Pro Day as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury sustained last season. Despite attending the event, Carter prioritized his rehab over workouts.

Abdul Carter
Abdul Carter (Image via Reuters)

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, stated that Carter may still conduct a private workout for teams in mid-April.

He is still finishing up rehab on the shoulder injury he had from the Boise State game. He may still do a workout for teams sometime in mid-April.

Drew Rosenhaus said

Abdul Carter also spoke on why he sat out the Penn State pro day.

Still recovering from my shoulder, pretty much a hundred percent now. But knowing that I had the best training to come out here, and I didn’t. So had to make the best decision for me.

Abdul Carter said

Carter’s medical evaluations at the NFL Scouting Combine also revealed a stress fracture in his right foot. He opted against surgery and has since been cleared to resume training. Though he did not participate in combine drills, Carter completed interviews and physical exams with teams.

The edge rusher played through the injury during Penn State’s Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame. He insists the stress fracture caused no discomfort during the season and remains a non-issue.

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