Penn State defensive lineman Abdul Carter wins multiple awards after a big day against Illinois

Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter won several awards after his big day Illinois. The junior is both the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and the Co-National Defensive Player of the Week in the Senior Bowl. In Saturday's win against the Fighting Illini, Carter totaled seven tackles and led the Lions with four tackles for loss and two sacks. He also forced a fumble in the final minutes of the game that ultimately eliminated head coach Bret Bielema's team.

“Just playing fast, playing with a little bit of effort, that’s what I’m proud of,” Carter said after the game. “Make sure I play the game with everything I have, every play, and I feel like it showed today.

“I just have to keep growing, keep learning, just keep getting better.” Take these weeks week by week, just stack days, stack weeks to get better. Like I said, you haven’t seen the best of me yet.”

That last sentence should be scary for future Big Ten opponents. Carter, of course, is in his first season as a full-time defensive end after winning All-Big Ten honors as a linebacker last season. He is the second Penn State player to earn conference player of the week honors this season. Security KJ Winston Jr.who is dealing with a long-term injury, also won after a big day at West Virginia in Week 1.

Carter will likely be Penn State's next first-round NFL draft pick

Before Saturday's statistical blowout, Carter sat at No. 7 on ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper's 2025 Big Board. He would have to register early to take part in next year's pro selection process. This is expected to happen at the end of the 2024 season.

“Carter is versatile and has plenty of experience as an effective off-ball linebacker, which helped him record 60 tackles in each of his last two seasons at Penn State.” Kiper writes. “But the hope this season is that he can disrupt opponents' game plans as a pass rusher from the edge. Carter has the traits to wreak havoc there, as he was pressured on 24% of his pass rush snaps last season. He comes to football instinctively and quickly.”

In a recent mock draft, analysts at The Draft Network sent Carter to the Washington Commanders with the No. 10 overall pick. That would put him in multiple matchups with former Nittany Lion Saquon Barkley, who is the running back for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Washington's interior defensive line is strong, but they need some help at EDGE to create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.” Daniel Harms writes. “Abdul Carter is an elite athlete and Dan Quinn would know exactly how to use a player of that caliber.”