The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the more unpredictable ones in recent memory. With the value of the quarterback position, two players have separated themselves from the rest of the pack: Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. However, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter is also sure to demand a lot of attention.
But even beyond those three, a fourth player is getting significant hype as the best player in the class. That man is none other than the Penn State Nittany Lions’ Abdul Carter. A phenom in his final collegiate season, Carter has climbed up virtually every Draft board under the sun. Now, all eyes turn to his measurables as he gets set for his Pro Day.
Hype Continues To Build Around Abdul Carter’s Pro Day and 40-Yard Dash
So far, a couple of different players have stood out to scouts and league executives. Both Cam Skattebo and Armand Membou made a demonstrably excellent mark in the eyes league-wide with their performance at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The potential first-overall pick, Cam Ward, received an army of Tennessee Titans as his welcoming party as he put on an impressive performance for Miami’s Pro Day. Next up, the nation’s attention shifts to Penn State.
With Carter’s Pro Day set to give fans, media, and teams an extended look at his measurables and how his numbers stack up against the others, anticipation is building. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that there is talk of Carter putting on a commanding performance at the event.
“I’m excited to see if and what Abdul Carter runs in the 40-yard dash Friday at Penn State’s pro day. Word is he might be in the 4.3 range, and the Nittany Lions’ track is notoriously fast. So an eye-popping number might come out of State College.”
Not typically an activity defensive ends excel in, Carter putting up an impressive performance at the 40-yard might improve his already sky-high stock after an electric 2024 campaign. For the Nittany Lions, he recorded 68 total tackles and an absurd 12 sacks on the year.
It has led to a steady climb up virtually every draft board across the country. Even the latest mock draft from PFSN has the Penn State alum going second overall to the Cleveland Browns, despite their obvious need for quarterback.
Ben Rolfe explained his decision very simply, “Abdul Carter is viewed as a generational prospect, and pairing Carter and Myles Garrett would potentially take this defense from very good to great.”
