Penn State and its fans have been pushing for tight end Tyler Warren to be nominated for the Heisman Trophy, but there’s another player who feels he “for sure” should be considered.
Abdul Carter is his name. He’s quite good.
The defensive end who used to be an all-conference linebacker had two sacks in Penn State’s 44-7 win over Maryland Saturday night at Beaver Stadium, bringing his total to 10.
With that second sack, Carter became the first Penn State player to reach double digits since Carl Nassib accomplished that feat in 2015. Whether he knew that before he hit the Heisman pose to celebrate sack No. 2 is unknown.
But Carter feels it’s no mystery that he’s one of the best players in college football.
Abdul Carter with an inside move is truly a terrifying prospect. He's turning into a complete defensive end. pic.twitter.com/bxUH8WfK6T
— T-FrankOn3 (@ThomasFrankCarr) November 30, 2024
“THERE’S DEFENSIVE PLAYERS WHO MAKE JUST AS MUCH IMPACT…”
The Heisman Trophy has been presented annually to the America’s top college football player since before the U.S. entered World War II, and only one defensive player has won the award. Michigan’s Charles Woodson accomplished that feat in 1997, and Colorado’s Travis Hunter is likely to accomplish it this year.
But Woodson and Hunter each play on offense, too, with them both being defensive backs/wide receivers.
A guy like Carter, who only plays defense, has never won.
Some— such as Ohio State defensive end Chase Young in 2019– have been finalists. But none have won.
Carter wants that to change. That’s why he struck the pose.
“I just feel like there’s a lot of hype and the offensive players are recognized as the best player in the country,” Carter said after the game. “But there’s also defensive players who make just as much of an impact as the offensive players.”
“That’s real talk,” DT Dvon J-Thomas interjected. “You are one of them for sure.”
Carter continued.
“I feel like, (Boise State RB) Ashton Jeanty, Travis Hunter, they are great players in their own respect but I impact the game just as much, if not more than them. I feel like defensive players should start getting the same recognition, and we don’t. The Heisman is the top player in the country, the best player in the country, and I feel like I’m that.”
“The Heisman (Trophy) winner is the top player in the country, the best player in the country, and I feel like I’m that.”
Penn State DE Abdul Carter feels he deserves to be considered for the Heisman and that defensive players in general don’t get enough love for the award. pic.twitter.com/WUuXswg57u
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) December 1, 2024
SO HOW DOES IT CHANGE?
What will it take for defensive players to get more love?
“I think it takes more defensive players speaking out about it,” Carter said, “and just not letting all the love go to the offensive players. We’re just as important to the game. We just make just as much of an impact. Once we do that, then we’ll get more recognition.”
Penn State takes on Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game Saturday at 8 on Fox.
