Sports • Football

Abdul Carter

Abdul Jabar Carter is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Abdul Jabar Carter is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Penn State, where he became one of the top defensive players in the country and earned major honors in 2024. The Giants selected him third overall in the 2025 NFL draft.

Early life and high school

Abdul Carter was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended La Salle College High School in Glenside, Pennsylvania. He emerged as a highly regarded defensive recruit before signing with Penn State.

College career at Penn State

Carter played three seasons for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2022 to 2024. He finished among the program's all-time leaders in sacks and tackles for loss and was especially dominant in his junior season after moving into a more prominent edge-rushing role. In 2024, he earned unanimous All-American recognition and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honours. His college career totals included 172 tackles, 23.0 sacks, 39.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and one interception.

Professional career

The New York Giants chose Carter with the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He entered the NFL as a linebacker/edge defender and appeared in his rookie season with New York.

Playing profile

Carter is known for his explosiveness as a pass rusher and his ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. His college production and awards established him as one of the top defensive prospects in his draft class.

Key facts

Carter is a professional American football linebacker for the New York Giants.
He was selected third overall in the 2025 NFL draft by New York.
At Penn State, he played three seasons and became a highly decorated defensive player.
In 2024, he earned unanimous All-American recognition and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honours.
His college career totals included 172 tackles, 23.0 sacks, 39.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and one interception.

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Canadian context

Carter has no major Canada-specific connection in the available sources, but he is relevant to Canadian readers as an NFL player and former Penn State standout.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Abdul Carter?

Abdul Carter is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Giants who played college football at Penn State.

When was Abdul Carter born?

He was born on October 3, 2003.

Which college did Abdul Carter attend?

He attended Penn State, where he played three seasons for the Nittany Lions.

What was Abdul Carter's draft position?

He was selected third overall by the New York Giants in the 2025 NFL draft.

What awards did Abdul Carter win in college?

In 2024, he earned unanimous All-American honours and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Carter
Supports: Full name, birth date, birthplace, position, height, weight, team, college, and 2025 draft selection.
New York Giants — https://www.giants.com/team/players-roster/abdul-carter/
Supports: Current team, height, weight, college, draft history, and college career totals.
Penn State Athletics — https://gopsusports.com/sports/football/roster/player/abdul-carter
Supports: College career statistics and all-time Penn State defensive rankings.
NCAA — https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2025-04-24/abdul-carter-college-football-career-stats-highlights-records
Supports: Penn State career overview, position change, high school background, and 2024 honours.
ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/4725996/abdul-carter
Supports: Current NFL team, position, height, weight, birthdate, college, and draft information.