Penn State football defensive end Abdul Carter has been named a semifinalist for the 2024 Bednarik Defensive Player of The Year Award, Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday. The honor is awarded to college football’s best defensive player.

1⃣1⃣ — Semifinalist

College Football's Defensive POTY @1NCRDB1 x @BednarikAward pic.twitter.com/GkU2EPfVZA

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) November 12, 2024

In the Nittany Lions’ 35-6 victory over Washington this Saturday, Carter posted six total tackles and two sacks in Penn State’s annual White Out game. This performance earned Carter the honor of the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of The Week as well as the Bednarik Defensive Player of The Week.

All eyes on 1⃣1⃣ — @1NCRDB1

@WalterCampFF National Defensive POTW
@BednarikAward Defensive POTW https://t.co/j7F4cEy90b pic.twitter.com/8yDQAkl4VM

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) November 12, 2024

Through nine games, Carter has totaled eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and 40 tackles for the Nittany Lions, on pace to double his 2023 season total of 4.5 sacks.

Carter joined the likes of South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard, Georgia’s Malaki Starks, Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, Colarado’s Travis Hunter, Iowa’s Jay Higgins, Cal’s Nohl Williams, Michigan’s Mason Graham, Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton, and Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts as semifinalists.

The 2023 Bednarik Defensive Player of The Year Award was given to North Carolina State’s Payton Wilson, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Carter and the Nittany Lions will retake the field at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, to take on Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium.