Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Boise State Broncos in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Abdul Carter declares for 2025 NFL Draft after Penn State’s crushing Notre Dame loss

Abdul Carter exits Penn State, eyes top-10 NFL Draft pick.

Abdul Carter’s choice to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft came hours after Penn State’s crushing 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal. The Nittany Lions had the game within reach but collapsed in the final moments, leaving their national title hopes in tatters. Carter, playing through a shoulder injury, was one of the few bright spots, but even his grit couldn’t save Penn State.

“Penn State consensus All-American defensive end Abdul Carter has entered the 2025 NFL Draft,” announced Adam Schefter. Hiring Drew Rosenhaus, Robert Bailey, and Jason Rosenhaus to represent him, Carter is now one of the top names heading into the draft.

The timing? Brutal. But Carter’s stock is sky-high, so it’s not shocking.

Penn State’s defense just lost its cornerstone, and it’s not ready for this

Abdul Carter was Penn State’s defense. Leading the nation in sacks (12) and tackles for loss (24) in 2024, Carter single-handedly elevated a solid unit into one of the best in college football. He didn’t just make plays—he dictated games.

Losing Carter, along with potential draft exits from Dani Dennis-Sutton and Kevin Winston Jr., leaves Penn State staring down a defensive black hole. Replacing one All-American is tough. Replacing several? Good luck.

To Abdul Carter,

You are a freakin warrior man. To do what you did last night, on basically one arm, is nothing short of incredible. I hope you are aware of just how much Nittany Nation appreciates you and will always support you. You said you wanted to be a legend here, well,… pic.twitter.com/hIJ7ADFzxF
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) January 10, 2025

And Penn State’s offense isn’t safe either. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, both 1,000-yard rushers, could also leave. The Nittany Lions’ 2025 roster might look unrecognizable.

Why Abdul Carter is a top-10 NFL pick, and why you’ll hear his name early

Carter’s dominance didn’t happen overnight, but when it clicked, it was unstoppable. In his freshman year, he tallied 56 tackles and 6.5 sacks, showing flashes of greatness. Fast forward to 2024, and he’s leading the nation in nearly every major defensive category, including sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback pressures.

Scouts rave about his agility and “bend” off the edge—a crucial skill for pass rushers. At 6-foot-3, he’s shorter than the prototypical EDGE, but his athleticism more than compensates. Mike Renner called him one of the draft’s few “true blue-chip prospects,” and most mock drafts project him in the top 10, with some as high as No. 4.

“His twitch is remarkable for a man his size,” Renner said. Pair that with his relentless motor, and Carter is set to terrorize NFL quarterbacks for years.

Penn State fans loved him, but Notre Dame turned his finale into a nightmare

He didn’t have to play. He could’ve opted out and watched his team but he put on for Penn State one last time while injured.

I’ll always remember this performance from Abdul Carter. This dude deserves every penny he gets in the league. pic.twitter.com/rYlNmUUfZX
— The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) January 10, 2025

Abdul Carter’s last game in a Penn State jersey wasn’t a fairytale ending. Despite battling through injury, Carter recorded five tackles, a sack, and two tackles for loss. But Penn State’s mistakes—blown leads, turnovers, and missed opportunities—wasted his effort.

Notre Dame sealed the game with a late field goal, crushing Penn State’s national championship dreams. Carter deserved better. Fans deserved better.

Even so, his legacy is intact. Three years. Dominance. And now, his name joins Penn State legends like Micah Parsons and Tamba Hali.

Image: Imagn

Abdul Carter

Natasha Bose

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