Update, 6:18 p.m. on Saturday, January 11:

Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter has officially declared for the NFL Draft, he announced Saturday night.

pic.twitter.com/JfxbSwvicc

— Abdul Carter (@1NCRDB1) January 11, 2025

“To the Nittany Lion fans, thank you for treating me like family from day one. You all are the reason why playing in Happy Valley is the greatest experience in college football,” Carter wrote.

Original Post:

Penn State football defensive end Abdul Carter will declare for the 2025 NFL Draft after hiring agents Drew Rosenhaus, Robert Bailey, and Jason Rosenhaus, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Carter’s move comes as no surprise as the junior is a projected top-10 draft selection.

Penn State consensus All American defensive end Abdul Carter has entered the 2025 NFL Draft and hired Drew Rosenhaus, Robert Bailey and Jason Rosenhaus to represent him. “I expect Abdul will be one of the top picks of this draft and a future All Pro,” Drew Rosenhaus said. pic.twitter.com/cvkatLTqHV

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 10, 2025

Carter finishes his time at Penn State as one of its best to wear No. 11, compiling 172 tackles, 39.5 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, five forced fumbles, and an interception. He was a first-team All-American after the 2024 season, his first playing defensive end after lining up at linebacker in 2022 and 2023.

During his junior season alone, Carter notched 68 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. He played against Notre Dame with an arm injury and repeatedly earned praise from those around him for his efforts to get healthy after not playing in the second half against SMU.

Carter became the first player set to enter the NFL Draft after Penn State’s loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. Safety KJ Winston, who was out for the College Football Playoff, previously declared.