Penn State defensive phenom Abdul Carter sent shockwaves through the NFL Scouting Combine Wednesday, boldly declaring himself the top prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. The 21-year-old pass rusher backed his claim with three years of dominant stats and championship-level confidence.
I’m the best player in this draft class,Carter told reporters. The sacrifices I’ve made, the training with my father – it’s all led here. The No. 1 pick needs to be me.
Carter’s 2024 campaign solidified his credentials: 68 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss (FBS leader), and 12 sacks. The 6’3, 259-pound hybrid defender’s career totals – 39.5 TFLs, 23 sacks, 14 passes defended – make him this draft’s most proven defensive commodity.
The Tennessee Titans face a strategic dilemma with the first overall selection:
- Draft Carter as a franchise-changing edge rusher
- Select QB prospects like Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders
- Opt for two-way star Travis Hunter’s versatility
Since 2007, only three defensive players have gone first overall – Jadeveon Clowney (2014), Myles Garrett (2017), and Travon Walker (2022). Carter’s blend of speed and power draws comparisons to these elite prospects, but NFL teams increasingly prioritize quarterback investments.
Defensive players impact games as much as quarterbacks,Carter argued. Every Super Bowl team has that defensive anchor. I’m ready to be that guy from Day 1.
Scouts remain divided on whether Carter fits best as a hand-in-dirt defensive end or stand-up outside linebacker. His 4.59-second 40-yard dash at the combine silenced concerns about positional flexibility, clocking faster times than 2024 first-round edge rushers.
With the draft set for April 24 in Green Bay, Carter’s challenge mirrors recent history. Only 12 defensive players have ever been selected first overall since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Can this Penn State powerhouse rewrite draft strategy for defensive stars?
