Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter is one of three finalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player.
Penn State DE Abdul Carter has been named a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to America’s top defensive player. pic.twitter.com/6gU7FUXW9w
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) November 26, 2024
The other two finalists are Travis Hunter of Colorado and Caleb Downs of Ohio State.
Carter and Penn State are quite familiar with Downs, who they saw in person Nov. 2 at Beaver Stadium.
Downs had four tackles in Ohio State’s 20-13 win but most importantly limited Penn State’s star TE Tyler Warren (four catches, 47 yards) from taking over the game the way he has on multiple occasions this season. Hunter, on the other hand, may well win the Heisman. So Carter has some stiff competition, but he has the advantage of being one of college football’s best players, too.
WHAT CARTER DOES WELL
Photo by Penn State Athletics: Abdul Carter
Playing a new position after a season in which he was a first-team All-Big Ten linebacker, Carter has just gotten more dominant as the weeks have gone on. With still a game to go in the regular season, he has 30 total tackles, eight sacks (tied for fourth in the Big Ten) and two forced fumbles. Carter is even more impressive when one dives into the analytics. He’s tied for 18th in the country with 39 pressures per Pro Football Focus and his overall pass rushing grade (91.2) ranks fourth.
Simply put, teams can’t block Carter unless they hold him or double team him.
PAST PSU WINNERS
Photo by Penn State
Paul Posluszny helped lead the resurgence of PSU football in the mid-2000s.
Three Penn State players have won the Bednarik Award before, and unsurprisingly, all three are recognizable names to any Penn State fan. LaVar Arrington was the first to win the award in 1999. Paul Posluszny accomplished that feat in both 2005 and ‘06 and Dan Connor did the same in 2007. Connor is now one of Carter’s assistant coaches as a defensive analyst.
Penn State ends its regular season against Maryland Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 on the Big Ten Network.
