Abdul Carter isn’t rocking Penn State gear anymore as the Giants rookie reacts to Nittany Lions loss
One of the biggest champions of the Penn State Nittany Lions, Abdul Carter, is no longer rocking his alma mater’s gear. Penn State’s shocking 30-24 loss to Oregon last week has brought out the best in some, including head coach James Franklin, but not every familiar face has been standing as proudly. Carter, the third […]
One of the biggest champions of the Penn State Nittany Lions, Abdul Carter, is no longer rocking his alma mater’s gear. Penn State’s shocking 30-24 loss to Oregon last week has brought out the best in some, including head coach James Franklin, but not every familiar face has been standing as proudly. Carter, the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, hasn’t been able to.
But why would Carter ditch a shade of blue just a little darker than the Giants’ native color? There’s a good reason. And it’s not because he’s upset with Franklin and company.
Find out more below from the man himself.
Abdul Carter loses bet after Penn State loss to Oregon Ducks
The good news for Penn State fans is that Carter isn’t abandoning the Lions. In fact, he’s only donning Oregon gear because he lost a bet with teammate Kayvon Thibodeaux. He explained that he and the former Ducks pass-rusher agreed to swap swag based on the game’s outcome.
Below you will see Carter rocking Oregon green. And to think we were just a few plays away from the opposite, where Thibodeaux would be sporting Penn State blue and white.
Carter made a significant impact during his collegiate career at Penn State, quickly establishing himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in the country. Over three seasons (2022–2024), Carter played in 42 games, starting 35, and amassed 172 total tackles, including 104 solo stops. He recorded 39.5 tackles for loss and 23 sacks, ranking sixth all-time in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss in Penn State history.
His junior season in 2024 was particularly explosive, as he transitioned from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher and posted 68 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. That performance earned him unanimous All-American honors and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.
Carter’s versatility and athleticism were evident throughout his college career. He was known for his ability to disrupt plays in the backfield and his knack for making game-changing defensive stops. His standout performances included multiple games with four tackles for loss, and he became the first Penn State linebacker since Dan Connor in 2007 to record double-digit TFLs and sacks in a season. His collegiate success made him a top prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, where he was selected third overall by the New York Giants.
Since joining the Giants, Carter has played in four games during the 2025 NFL season. He has recorded 9 total tackles (6 solo), 0.5 sacks, and 1 tackle for loss. While his raw stats may seem modest, Carter has shown flashes of his college dominance, especially in pass-rushing situations. His quickness off the edge and ability to pressure quarterbacks have drawn praise, though there have been concerns about how the Giants are deploying him.
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has used Carter in multiple roles, including as an off-ball linebacker and spy against mobile quarterbacks, which some analysts argue limits his effectiveness as a pure edge rusher.
