Penn State star defender Abdul Carter switching position

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WHTM) – During the offseason Penn State’s star defender Abdul Carter made the switch from linebacker to defensive end.

Penn State head coach James Franklin addressed the change in a press conference on Tuesday.

“I remember when we recruited Abdul, I thought he was a defensive end. Aand Abdul and (his) dad were adamant that he was a linebacker,” said Franklin. The reality is we just wanted him in our program and knew he was going to be a good player wherever he decided to play.”

Franklin said Carter decided to change the position on his own, but the program is excited to have him move into his new position.

“We’ve lost some defensive ends this year that were highly productive,” Franklin said. “We feel really good about the current room, but obviously being able to inject Abdul into that room, I think is going to be a positive for us as well.”

Franklin noted that Carter was struggling to maintain his weight at the linebacker position and that this role is likely more suited for him.

“He was really kind of on the bubble of struggling to keep his weight in linebacker. . around 250 above or below for a while,” Franklin said. “I think his body was naturally telling him he could make the move if he needed to or wanted to.”

Franklin said Carter knows this will be a big change and will take a lot of adjusting, but Franklin believes in the long run this is the best move for Carter and the team.

“Having depth and talent and the type of length that we want at the defensive end position I think this is going to be kind of a win-win for everybody,” Franklin said.

Penn State fans may get a chance to see Carter line up at defensive end during the Blue-White Game on April 13.

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