Penn State’s Abdul Carter Declares for 2025 NFL Draft

Penn State‘s standout defensive end Abdul Carter has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, his agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed to ESPN‘s Adam Schefter on Friday. Carter, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, is projected to be a top pick in the first round.

Carter’s decision comes after a stellar season where he recorded 12 sacks, including one in Penn State’s College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. Despite playing through a left arm injury sustained in the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State, Carter remained a dominant force on the field.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Carter as the No. 2 prospect in the upcoming draft. Carter, who transitioned from linebacker to defensive end this season under new defensive coordinator Tom Allen, earned consensus All-America honors, becoming Penn State’s first since Saquon Barkley in 2017.

In the Orange Bowl, Carter tallied five tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack, capping a season with 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. His performance solidified his reputation as one of college football’s premier edge rushers.

NFL analyst Nate Tice highlighted Carter’s potential, noting his high-end pass-rushing skills despite occasional inconsistencies against the run. Tice projected Carter as the No. 7 overall pick to the New York Jets, emphasizing his ability to rejuvenate a defensive line in need of fresh talent.

Carter finishes his Penn State career with 23 sacks and 68 tackles this season, ranking fourth on the team. The Nittany Lions ended their season with a 13-3 record, falling to Ohio State in the regular season and Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game.