Abdul Carter and Nicholas Singleton are two of Penn State football’s most important players.
Starters since freshman year, Carter and Singleton now have even more in common. On Monday, the two were named to Walter Camp Football’s College Player of the Year watch list.
Watch List — @WalterCampFF
College Football's Player of the Year@1NCRDB1 x @NickSingletonn pic.twitter.com/bxDuGuNrmx
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 5, 2024
Carter broke onto the scene as a freshman, totaling 6.5 sacks, 56 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles. He earned All-Big Ten second-team honors and became a first-team player during his sophomore campaign. Penn State’s star linebacker accumulated 4.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, and his first career interception in 13 games last season, with added attention delivered to his side of the field.
Carter transitioned to defensive end in the offseason and continues to workout at the position in training camp. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen didn’t commit to utilizing Carter strictly as a linebacker or end, something coach James Franklin highlighted in July.
“That’s a week-to-week decision,” Allen said. “The first couple practices have been focused on defensive end throughout the spring and summer… We feel like we can maximize his skillset in those situations…He’s a difference-maker-type guy.”
Singleton holds the Penn State freshman record of 12 rushing touchdowns in a season and looks to add hardware in 2024. The third-team 2023 All-Big Ten honoree rushed for 752 yards on 171 carries as a sophomore after accomplishing a 1,000-yard season as a freshman. Singleton owns five career 100-yard games and 20 total rushing touchdowns.
In two seasons, Singleton has rushed for 1,813, 20th in program history. He and classmate Kaytron Allen have been one of the best 1-2 punches in college football.
Special teams coordinator Justin Lustig confirmed Singleton is the leader in the clubhouse to return kicks and impact the game on special teams.
“Nick’s back there. Similar to Kaden (Saunders), a veteran guy,” Lustig said. “We got a good stable of young guys. Wouldn’t be surprised to see some other guys back there but Nick’s got the lead right now.”
The Walter Camp Football Foundation honors the ideals of Walter Camp and selects a College All-America team each year.
