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Burgeoning Penn State football star Abdul Carter is finally making the position move others saw coming for quite a while.
The Nittany Lions junior will be getting his first taste as a pass-rushing defensive end when spring practice sessions begin today. For the past two years he’s stunned onlookers, from time to time, with his pursuit speed and instincts in such a large body.
Now, he may just get to concentrate on what he’s best at. The timing couldn’t be better, too, according to his coach, James Franklin.
Firstly, the Lions can certainly use some edge rush reinforcement after losing starters Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac to next month’s NFL Draft. Plus, Carter has reached a tipping point at being able to play linebacker at his best abilities.
Abdul Carter (11) flashed intriguing big-play ability at linebacker. But could be even better at defensive end? He begins his transition this spring.
Franklin has told the story of recruiting Carter a few years ago in the Philadelphia suburbs: Of how the kid was a furious weightlifter in a stunning set-up in the family’s living room — about joking with mom and dad about how Carter did not need to get any larger before arriving at Penn State.
“I remember when we recruited Abdul, I thought he was a defensive end. And Abdul and his dad were adamant he was a linebacker,” Franklin said. “The reality is, we just wanted him in our program and knew he was going to be a really good player wherever he decided to play.
“But this (position move) wasn’t something from us. This was Abdul wanting to make this move, for a number of reasons and we’re excited about it.”
Abdul Carter’s specialty has been tracking down quarterbacks and running backs behind scrimmage, like Mississippi’s Quinshon Judkins (4) in the Peach Bowl. He’ll get to do that on a full-time basis now with his move to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-penn-state-footballs-drew-182326171.html
Author : York Daily Record
Publish date : 2024-03-12 18:23:26
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