Who is Abdul Carter? Meet the potential No.1 overall pick in 2025 NFL draft and Philadelphia native
Abdul Carter could hear his name called first Thursday night at the 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Carter, a former Penn State star edge rusher, is projected to be one of the top selections in the draft as one of the best — if not the best — prospect in the entire class. Here's what you need to know about the Philadelphia native.
What are Abdul Carter's stats?
Carter played at Penn State for three seasons, developing into one of the most feared players in college football during his time in Happy Valley.
In his junior year, Carter was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and earned unanimous First-Team All-American honors. He recorded 12 sacks, 68 total tackles and had two fumble recoveries last season to help PSU make a run to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.
Carter played in 42 games, including 35 starts, in his collegiate career and finished as one of the most accomplished defensive players in Penn State history. He ranks sixth all-time at Penn State in sacks with 23, eighth in tackles-for-loss with 39.5 and tied for 12th in forced fumbles with five.
Carter had 23.5 tackles-for-loss in the 2024 season, which ranked first in all of college football and third all-time in a single season in Penn State history. His 12 sacks ranked sixth for a single season. He was also the first Penn State player to have 10 sacks or more in a single season since Carl Nassib had 15.5 in 2015.
Overall, Carter recorded 172 total tackles, 41 tackles-for-loss, 23 sacks and five forced fumbles in his Penn State career. He was also named First-Team All-Big Ten in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, along with earning Second-Team All-Big Ten honors as a freshman in 2022.
Where did Abdul Carter go to high school?
Carter attended La Salle College High School and played in the Philadelphia Catholic League. In his senior season, Carter helped La Salle earn a 9-2 record and win a PCL championship.
Carter earned All-Catholic League honors three times at La Salle and was the team captain as a senior. According to 247Sports, Carter was a four-star recruit and chose to play at Penn State over schools like South Carolina, Ole Miss, Michigan and other big-time programs.
Before Carter played at Penn State and La Salle, he grew up playing football for the North Philly Aztecs, a youth football organization in the city.
Which teams did Abdul Carter visit before 2025 NFL draft?
Carter, arguably the most talented prospect in the draft, has met with four teams before the NFL draft.
Carter has reportedly had top-30 visits with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and New England Patriots.
Is Abdul Carter injured?
Carter missed the NFL scouting combine and his Pro Day at Penn State as he recovers from a stress reaction in his foot and a shoulder injury. Earlier in April, Carter underwent a medical recheck in Indianapolis, which reportedly showed that the stress reaction in his foot is healing and won't require surgery.
Carter suffered a shoulder injury during the CFP quarterfinals against Boise State.
Carter's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN that his injuries should be a "non-factor" with teams before the draft.
Could Abdul Carter end up on the Eagles?
Carter grew up as a Philadelphia Eagles fan. He spent some of his time before the draft watching the Eagles win the Super Bowl over the Kansas City Chiefs with his dad, but he's not going to somehow land in his hometown in the NFL draft.
Recently, a rumor from a Boston radio station suggested the Eagles would trade star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Patriots for Carter if he falls to the fourth overall pick. But multiple reporters, including ESPN's Adam Schefter, have shot down that the Eagles would deal Brown.
Abdul Carter NFL draft scouting report
Below is the CBS Sports scouting report on Carter:
Summary
Carter has been a productive pass rusher in his first full season, fulfilling that obligation for the Nittany Lions. Carter is a bit shorter in stature, but makes up for that with his ability to bend at the waist and flatten at the high side of his rush. The Philadelphia native is still learning the intricacies of the position, such as block awareness.
Strengths
- Great waist bend at the high side of his rush: Carter displays good flexibility to dip and bend the corner to the quarterback.
- Good play strength: Carter shows an ability to hold up against pressure as he is pushing upfield.
- Good quickness: He shows good quickness to exploit oversetting linemen.
Weaknesses
- Experience at edge rusher: Carter transitioned to a true edge rusher role from off-ball linebacker this offseason. Block awareness can improve.
- Coming to balance in space: Carter had a 27.6% missed tackle rate in 2023, per TruMedia, when he was serving as an off-ball linebacker. There were still examples from this season.
- Shorter in stature: His length is more of a question than a concern, because it does not impede his performance. It will be interesting to learn his wingspan, but 6-foot-3 is usually a bit small for a potential top-10 overall selection.
