Memo To Franklin: Keep Carter On The Edge

By Kyle Golik

It is easy to dismiss me as a lowly sports writer and why should I be questioning the logic behind Penn State head coach James Franklin . It is all-in-all Franklin’s kitchen, he is the chef, he shops for all of the groceries - as Bill Parcells wished for when he was a New England Patriots head coach - so how the meal is delivered should not be questioned. I will always disagree with that notion and a good writer or columnist always questions everything.

This is why I am telling Franklin to just keep Abdul Carter on the EDGE.

Earlier this spring, it was announced that Carter had shifted from linebacker to concentrate on the EDGE. Penn State hasn’t had that elite prototypical EDGE rusher in the Franklin era, they have had a few good ones, but none at the caliber of what Carter could potentially bring.

During Big Ten Media Days last week in Indianapolis, Franklin alluded that Carter might be in dual roles this season after being asked about Carter’s role at the EDGE, “I think first thing is he’ll play both, we have the flexibility to play him at both positions.”

As Franklin continued it will be depending on the circumstance where Carter will play, “Week to week we’ll decide where he’ll have the most impact for us, whether it’s on the line of scrimmage at defensive end or in the linebacker position.”

Franklin promoted the idea of giving opposing offensive coaches fits about having to scheme for Carter either coming from the EDGE or roving the linebacker position. I cannot argue against that logic, but I feel how the game has transitioned, one that Franklin said is a “quarterback driven game,” your most important piece on defense is the EDGE rusher and getting to that quarterback.

One of the golden opportunities Franklin and staff missed was moving over Micah Parsons to the EDGE while he was at Penn State.

This was evident in the 2019 Cotton Bowl where Parsons was the difference for Penn State as Memphis was offensively even matched with Penn State. It was Parsons' play that immortalized him in Penn State and Cotton Bowl lore when Parsons finished with 14 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.

The plan was, as some have written, to have Parsons play the EDGE in a similar role that Ohio State successfully had a revolving door of top NFL draft picks in Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa, and Chase Young. Parsons was that caliber of athlete at the same level Ohio State enjoyed.

What thwarted Parsons' experience as an EDGE rusher was the COVID-19 pandemic, Parsons opted out of the 2020 Penn State season to focus on NFL Draft preparation.

Those who watch Parsons on Sundays with the Dallas Cowboys, where he has been a perennial Defensive Player of the Year threat and a three-time All-Pro, it's a giant what if for the Nittany Lions and Franklin of what Parsons could have achieved? Dare I say play at the same level as LaVar Arrington did?

Anyone who watched NFL Draft coverage in 2000 saw the comparisons to Lawrence Taylor, injuries thwarted that opportunity for Arrington. Parsons has gotten into that conversation, fair or not, the fact they have been had only justifies how great of an athlete he was.

Franklin has a second golden opportunity with Carter.

Carter is an absolute genetic freak athlete, when he does at 250 pounds at the heart of the linebacking core is unreal, considering the speed he possesses to cover, his range, and his tackling ability.

Putting Carter on the EDGE is a golden opportunity to put a difference maker that Penn State hasn’t had. The Nittany Lions went blow-for-blow with Ohio State in 2022, the difference in that game was Ohio State’s EDGE rusher J.T. Tuimoloau.

Tuimoloau tortured Penn State with six tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and fumble recovery, and one touchdown, the first defensive FBS player to achieve this since 2000.

Franklin can turn the tables on everyone else and let Carter rip.

Franklin couldn’t have said it any better when describing Carter, “At the end of the day, you’re talking about one of the more explosive, physical athletes in all of college football. We think he has the ability to make a significant impact.” In a quarterback driven game, the most significant impact a defense can do is get to the quarterback. Penn State’s best option is Carter. Franklin just let Carter be what Parsons should have been.