Penn State defensive star selected to AP preseason All-American second team

Penn State Nittany Lions star defensive end Abdul Carter was selected to the Associated Press preseason All-American second team.

After earning first-team All-Big Ten honors last year, Carter is receiving plenty of preseason recognition from many watchlists nationwide. The Philadelphia native started in all 13 games in 2023, tallying 48 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and five pass breakups.

The 6-foot-3, 259-pound Carter is Penn State’s third preseason All-American in two years, joining offensive tackle Olu Fashanu and cornerback Kalen King, each named first-team selections last preseason.

Carter made the offseason position switch from linebacker to defensive end, likely leading to higher pass rush statistics this season. He isn’t going to abandon the linebacker position entirely and will play there when it is most advantageous for him and the team.

The other defensive end who joins Carter on the second team is Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton. Carter and Scourton are projected to be first-round draft picks in the 2025 NFL draft.

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