Penn State football defense end Abdul Carter was named one of four finalists for the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club announced Friday. The honor recognizes the best defensive player in college football.

FINALIST — @NagurskiTrophy

The Best Defensive Player In College Football#WeAre x @1NCRDB1 pic.twitter.com/D3yJahDNVo

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) November 22, 2024

Carter has totaled 45 total tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles this season. Carter currently ranks 13th nationally in total sacks and first in the Power Four with seventeen and a half tackles for loss on the season.

Carter has been named a finalist for the Lombardi Award and a semi-finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bednarik Award, and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. Carter was named the Bedarik Player of The Week and the Walter Camp Defensive Player of The Week for his performance against Washington in week 11 of the college football season. In that game against Washington, Carter recorded six total tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.

Throughout his time with the Nittany Lions, Carter has recorded 149 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, five forced fumbles, 12 pass breakups, and an interception. Carter’s 19 sacks as a Nittany Lion are tied for 11th all-time in Penn State football history. The junior defensive end has posted five games with at least two sacks and seven games with at least two tackles for loss as a Nittany Lion.

Carter joined the likes of Michigan’s Mason Graham, Texas’ Jahdae Barron, and South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard as a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy. The 2024 winner will be announced at the 30th Annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet on December 9, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Carter and the Nittany Lions will retake the field at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, to face Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium.