Carter is also the second Nittany Lion to receive the Bednarik Award’s defensive player of the week honors, as now-injured safety Kevin Winston Jr. did so after Week 1. In the offseason, Carter was named to watch lists for both the Bednarik Award and the Nagurski Trophy. Both are given annually to college football’s best defensive player.

When Penn State coach James Franklin recruited La Salle College high school standout Abdul Carter, Franklin wanted Carter to be a defensive end. Carter, a four-star recruit, committed to Penn State, but he and his dad resisted a position change from linebacker.

Penn State junior defensive end Abdul Carter was selected Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after Penn State defeated Illinois last weekend. In last week’s game, Carter collected four tackles for loss,