Abdul Carter bounces back from ejection in first career game for elite freshman season

Story posted December 31, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Alex Rocco

Abdul Carter dons the prestigious No. 11 jersey for Penn State, but when he first came to Happy Valley, he wanted a different number.

Carter initially wanted to wear No. 22, the number he had worn since he was just eight years old. However, No. 22 is the only number retired by the Nittany Lions for Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti.

Carter pivoted No. 11, the same number worn by Micah Parsons, LaVar Arrington and NaVorro Bowman and he wanted to continue the legacy set before him.

"So I figured, why not step into 11 and build my own legacy wearing this number?" Carter said.

The 6-3 233-pound linebacker said he’s yet to master the position, but he’s becoming more comfortable.

Carter was a star at LaSalle College High School in Philadelphia, and he quickly did the same in Happy Valley.

The true freshman played in all 12 games, finishing with 55 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups.

Carter was named second-team All-Big Ten by the conference’s media and to the PFF All-Freshman team.

A large reason for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native’s success was playing in defensive coordinator Manny Diaz’s system.

It was Carter and Diaz’s first seasons with the blue and white, and the duo grew extremely close.

“We’ve got a really close relationship,” Carter said. “I trust everything he says, everything he does.”

Carter opened the year backing up Curtis Jacobs, but midway through the season, Carter became a starter, and Jacobs returned to his outside linebacker spot where he played in 2021.

Jacobs and Carter were the Nittany Lions' two best linebackers this campaign, and the two formed a great connection.

"Early in the season, he flashed, and then the next week, you could kind of see that maybe he tried to do things his own way, and then the next game, he kind of locked in and flashed again," Diaz said. It took him one more game to really understand, 'OK, I just need to do my job, and if I do my job,' his physical attributes will be accentuated. That's really what helped him in the final six weeks of the season."

Carter’s Penn State debut started on a negative, as he was called for targeting in his first snap. He noted the moment "killed me inside" but ultimately became a positive.

"I was just down, but I bounced back from it," he said. "I moved on, I got stronger and I learned from my mistake."

Diaz mentioned the first six weeks of the season helped the freshman learn his role within the defense and play to it.

During those six weeks, Carter developed his sense of gap responsibilities, understanding when to deploy and assessing opposing offenses.

"The first six games, I kind of was struggling with that," Carter said, "but in the second half of the season, I was more consistent. In the Auburn game, I kind of broke out with six solo tackles and a forced fumble. Watching film of that game. I asked, 'How could I get better than that?'"

Carter has drawn several comparisons to Parsons for his elite speed and his playmaking ability at such a young age.

Carter and Parsons have developed a bond through the No. 11 and plan to work out together during the offseason. Parsons' advice has been simple: “Be consistent, block out the noise and keep doing what you're doing.”

Diaz hopes he can have the same impact Parsons had for Penn State and former defensive coordinator Brent Pry.

The first-year defensive coordinator added Carter is well on his way to doing so.

"Abdul wants to be great, and I've told him my job is to help him achieve greatness," Diaz said. "OK, you played well for a freshman, and is that it? Is this as good as it gets? Or is there more?

"Guys sometimes believe they have to put on a cape and do something special. With his skill set, if he just does his job, he will be noticed on the field."

Alex Rocco is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email alex.rocco1702@gmail.com.