(WHTM) – Star Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter is projected to go in the top three picks of the 2025 NFL Draft, according to a new midseason mock draft from ESPN .

The mock draft from NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid projects Carter to go third overall to the Carolina Panthers.

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Reid noted that while the Panthers could use a quarterback after benching former first overall pick Bryce Young in just his second season out of Alabama, the Panthers could benefit from taking a pass rusher and one of the best talents in next year’s NFL Draft.

The junior out of Philadelphia has four sacks in the Nittany Lions’ first six games this year, with 27 total tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. In 32 career games for Penn State, Carter has 15 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss.

If he’s taken in the top three of the 2025 NFL Draft, Carter would be the highest-drafted Nittany Lion since Saquon Barkley went second overall to the New York Giants in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Last year, offensive lineman Olu Fashanu went 11th overall to the New York Jets, and pass rusher Chop Robinson went 21st overall to the Miami Dolphins.

The 2025 NFL Draft will be held at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, starting on April 24, 2025. The seven rounds will be held through April 26 leading up to the 2025 NFL season.

Penn State Football fans will get closer than ever to the team this fall with Nittany Nation & Nittany Insiders. Every Saturday, the preview show will break down Penn State’s matchup and feature players looking to make an impact on and off the field.

Nittany Nation airs every Saturday at 11:30 a.m. starting Saturday during the Nittany Lions football season featuring interviews and insight you can only see here.

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