A candidate to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft for months, Abdul Carter has displayed elite pass-rushing potential. He has terrorized offensive lines with a combination of power, speed, and technique that scouts have gushed over. However, there were concerns this week that a potential foot injury may have been enough to derail his draft stock. Fortunately for Carter, further medical tests have alleviated those fears, and he remains one of the most highly sought-after prospects in this year’s class.
Abdul Carter’s Dominant College Career and Grit Through Injury
Carter entered the 2024 college football season as one of the nation’s most feared defensive players. The explosive edge rusher notched a staggering 14.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in his final season at Penn State. It cemented his reputation as a game wrecker in opposing backfields. His edge speed, motor, and instincts to read offensive schemes made him a nightmare for quarterbacks and offensive coordinators.
For all his standout production, Carter’s season was not without adversity. In Penn State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup with Boise State, he suffered a shoulder injury that limited his effectiveness. It did not keep him out of the lineup.
Exhibiting the resiliency and toughness that have become hallmarks of his play, Carter fought through the injury to complete the game. He remained a significant contributor throughout Penn State’s playoff run. His ability to perform at a high level, even while battling injuries, only cemented his status as one of the most determined players in the draft class.
Carter’s Injury Scare and Its Draft Implications
Late Wednesday night, news arrived that Carter had been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right foot after going through medical testing. There was early speculation that surgery might be necessary which would have shelved him for six to eight weeks. That would have been a significant blow to Carter’s draft stock and possibly jeopardized his availability as the No. 1 pick. Yet additional scans and tests revealed good news.
Doctors determined that surgery was unnecessary, and his agent Drew Rosenhaus, was quick to dispel any concerns about his draft status. “I couldn’t be more confident that this will be a nonfactor where he’s drafted,” Rosenhaus told ESPN. “He will put on a show at his pro day.”
Now that the medical concern is behind him, Carter is focusing on Penn State’s March 28 pro day. That is when he will get the opportunity to reassert his position as the draft’s premier defensive player. Though he missed drills at the NFL Scouting Combine due to his shoulder injury his upcoming pro day will be a critical chance to showcase his athleticism, strength, and technical skill for team executives and scouts.
Final Thoughts
Though injury concerns are always a factor in evaluating draft prospects, Carter appears to have dodged a major setback. His Penn State work, combined with the fact that he has managed to battle adversity, still makes him a solid option for the No. 1 overall pick. The Tennessee Titans, who currently hold the top pick, are reportedly considering drafting him unless they decide to trade the pick. If they pass on the premier edge rusher talent for a quarterback or a weapon like Travis Hunter, the Cleveland Browns at No. 2 may view Carter as a Myles Garrett replacement.
With new news that Garrett refuses to negotiate an extension with Cleveland, it almost seems impossible to imagine them passing on an opportunity like Carter. Though his pro day is still to come, Carter has one last chance to plead his case. All signs point to him being an elite draft prospect injury concerns and all.
