Former Penn State Edge rusher Abdul Carter has officially signed his first NFL contract.
On Thursday, the New York Giants announced they have come to terms with their first-round pick on a four-year rookie deal.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported the deal is for more $45 million. The No. 3 overall pick earns a fully guaranteed contract, something infrequently handed out to players, even stars.
Carter will wear No. 51 with the Giants. He attempted to wear Lawrence Taylor’s No. 56 or Phil Simms’ No. 11 – his number at Penn State – but both players denied him permission to don their retired numbers.
“He has to be the player he is,” Taylor told ESPN.
Simms’ family made the final call on Carter having to choose a different number than the one he wore in Happy Valley.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Carter played three seasons for Penn State, picking up 172 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, 13 passes defended and five forced fumbles in 42 games.
He’ll go down as one of Penn State’s all-time great pass rushers and notable members of “Stix City.” Carter finished sixth all-time in sacks after a 12-sack campaign last season. He also ranks eighth in tackles for loss and tied for 12th in forced fumbles.
Carter closed his junior campaign with 68 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, four pass breakups, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles, helping Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals and two CFP victories, including the 2025 Fiesta Bowl against Boise State.
He’s the first Penn State player selected by the Giants in the first round since Saquon Barkley in 2018.
