Abdul Carter is believed to be a future top-three pick in the NFL Draft, and the Penn State defensive end continues to prove why each week. Look no further than his sack against SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
His explosiveness, as he jolted out of his stance and took two steps before the opposing offensive tackle even took one. His creative hand usage, as he faked multiple moves before even making contact with the player across from him and went with a classic rip move to the outside. The incessant motor, as he kept barreling toward SMU’s quarterback despite being held.
All traits of an elite pass rusher who’s going to be coveted in the NFL soon. But first, Boise State has to prepare for him as the Broncos will take on the Nittany Lions in the Fiesta Bowl.
“I go against the best every day,” he said, “so I’m prepared and ready for this opportunity.”
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Fiesta Bowl Time, Date & TV Channel
Penn State (12-2) will play Boise State (12-1) in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
The game, which is one of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal matchups, will take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Penn State will be tasked with slowing down Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty, who is 131 rushing yards away from breaking Barry Sanders’ NCAA single-season rushing yards record of 2,628 yards he set in 1988 while at Oklahoma State.
It doesn’t matter if Boise State plays in the Mountain West. Carter thinks Jeanty would thrive in any FBS league.
“Anywhere, any conference,” Carter said. “You can’t stop greatness. It could be the Big Ten, SEC, doesn’t matter. If you’re great, you’re going to prevail wherever you are.”
Abdul Carter Stats & Highlights
Carter is tied for seventh in the FBS with 11 sacks. He’s also top 10 with 56 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, and 39 tackles that PFF counts as a failure for offenses.
At 6-foot-3, 252 pounds, he has 63 tackles, 21.5 for loss, with two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups.
“Obviously very disruptive, like he’s been all year long,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said. “He is just a problem. And he’s an issue in the run game, as well as the pass game, with tackles for loss, sacks. Just like we’re spending time talking about their running back, they’re spending time talking about our defensive end and playmaker, Abdul Carter. So that will be an interesting matchup, and that will be an interesting chess game with both coaching staffs, and how we use those guys so that they both can be as effective as possible in this game.”
He’s in the top five in PFF’s grades among EDGE players for overall defense and pass rushing.
For his career, he has 22 sacks, 37.5 TFLs, 167 total tackles, 13 passes defended, five forced fumbles, and a pick.
“I don’t think we have seen a defensive player like him. Very impressed with his game. Being able to transition from inside linebacker to EDGE, and the success he had, not just the statistics, which he has all of those,” Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson said. “I love the relentlessness that he plays with. And he’s a guy that you better know where (No.) 11 is at at all times, and just to give you the best shot to block him, to get hands on him, because even if you slide to him, even if you chip him, he’s so long, so explosive. One of the most elite get-offs I have seen in a long time as an EDGE player. He’s a nightmare to deal with.
“I love the way he plays the game. He plays it with his hair on fire. You better know where he is at at all times and have an answer for, or he’s a game-wrecker.”
Abdul Carter NFL Draft Projection
I project Abdul Carter is going to be a top-five pick. He could go as early as the top three depending on which teams trade up and who needs quarterbacks.
His combination of size and speed as well as the quickness of his first few steps at the snap of the ball are absolutely going to be intriguing for an NFL team looking for a premier pass rusher.
Carter’s been an All-Big Ten player since he was a true freshman in 2022 when he was at linebacker. He’s not only an accomplished player, but considering he’s continued to improve, there’s even further potential as well.
Boise State offensive coordinator and former NFL head coach Dirk Koetter called Carter “really talented” and wouldn’t be surprised if he’s taken in the first five picks of the draft. Even for a defensive end, Koetter noted, Carter can play from a variety of positions because he can cover so much ground so rapidly.
“He’s insanely athletic, extremely twitchy,” Boise State offensive tackle Kage Casey said. “He has a lot of hesitation moves that he gets offensive tackles to get a little off-balance and reposition their weight. I think that’s the big thing we’ve got to work on, both left and right side, is just being confident in our spot and setting and just reading his shoulders and where he’s pointing.”
But fellow Boise State offensive lineman Ben Dooley also said the Broncos are ready for Carter.
“He’s a phenomenal player. We have a plan for him,” he said. “I’m excited to go play against him.”
