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NFL Draft 2025: Former Penn State star Abdul Carter picked No. 3 overall in Round 1
By Paul Harvey
Published:
It did not take long for Abdul Carter to hear his name called when the 2025 NFL Draft got rolling on Thursday night.
After a months-long build-up, the star pass rusher from Penn State was selected No. 3 overall by the New York Giants. Early in the process, it looked like Carter might be in the mix for the top overall pick by the Tennessee Titans, but that was eventually put to bed with Miami quarterback Cam Ward shining in the weeks leading up to the draft.
On the field, Carter was one of the most productive defenders in the country for 3 straight seasons. He was an immediate starter as a true freshman in 2022, and his versatility shone across his first 2 seasons in Happy Valley.
Carter posted a total of 17 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 9 pass breakups and an interception across his first 2 seasons in a role that saw him moved around the defensive formation. However, he made the switch to be a full-time edge rusher in 2024, and the results were swift and immediate.
This past season, Carter was a consensus All-American while recording 68 total tackles, 24 TFL, 12 sacks and 4 pass breakups. His 24 TFL led the entire country while capturing the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year Award. Carter is the 7th Nittany Lion to win that honor and the first since Carl Nassib in 2015.
Carter is the highest Penn State player to be drafted since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Surprisingly, that pick was also made by the Giants. He is just the 13th player in Penn State history to become a top-5 NFL Draft pick.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.