Penn State’s James Franklin on Abdul Carter’s position split and more at Big Ten Media Days
Penn State’s Abdul Carter made the switch from linebacker to defensive end in the winter, but his full-time position change may be short-lived.
Instead of exclusively playing at either spot, Carter will be deployed at both depending on the situation, in a way that Penn State head coach James Franklin hopes can give the Nittany Lions an advantage.
“We have the flexibility to play him at both positions,” Franklin said Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days. “He’s one of the unique athletes that was playing linebacker at 250 pounds. You never know how that transition is going to go, playing in space at the linebacker position compared to moving up to the line of scrimmage and having to go against the offensive tackles. He made the adjustment pretty quickly.
“At the end of the day, you’re talking about one of the more explosive, physical athletes in all of college football. We think he has the ability to make a significant impact.”
The move will have ramifications on the team at both positions, with different players stepping up depending on where Carter is. When he’s focused more on rushing the passer, linebackers like Ta’Mere Robinson may be asked to see the field more, and when he plays on the second level, there will be a litany of defensive ends that can step up.
Defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas said a few players have already stepped up, and many others are ready to show what they can do.
“You’ve got a couple of guys,” J-Thomas said Wednesday. “You have Amin Vanover, I know one of the biggest things that people have concerns about is reloading that defensive end room. ... There’s a lot of guys that are standing out right now. But I think that in the defensive end room, Amin Vanover is one of those guys who’s going to stand out like crazy this year.”
There’s also an added layer of flexibility that will come with Carter moving. Rather than an extra linebacker on the field, it could just lead to more defensive backs getting game reps. That’s a positive for the Nittany Lions, considering they boast a large group of cornerbacks who could see the field and three safeties who have proven they can play in the Big Ten.
Those safeties — Jaylen Reed, Zakee Wheatley and K.J. Winston — could be the primary playing time beneficiaries in what will likely amount to a 4-2-5 defense under Tom Allen, since the team will only have to play two linebackers.
“We feel really good about three safeties that we have and the amount of football that they’ve played for us,” Franklin said. “So that creates other ways for those guys to get on the field. So now rather than feeling like you’ve got to provide depth for three linebackers, you really have gotta provide depth for two linebackers.”
Julian Fleming’s leadership
There isn’t a position on the team with more question marks than wide receiver, and for good reason after the Nittany Lions struggled at the position in 2023. That was before KeAndre Lambert-Smith departed for Auburn and Dante Cephas left for Kansas State. Now, the onus is on the returning players and new addition Julian Fleming to make an impact and foster growth for Penn State.
Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, Fleming has already taken a leadership position and has begun to make an impact.
“He did a really good job of getting on campus and just getting to work and building that kind of trust and respect from his teammates,” Franklin said. “Then he’s gotten more vocal here recently. I think he’s just in a good place.”
It helps that Fleming has something to prove. He was a five-star receiver out of high school who went to Ohio State and struggled to stay healthy. He produced when he was on the field, but never at the level of a true No. 1 receiver for the Buckeyes.
But now he is returning to the state where he played high school football with the chance to prove he was worth that lofty ranking out of high school. He told the Centre Daily Times in the spring that he was out to prove he could stay healthy, and Franklin echoed that he was performing like he had more to show.
“I think the chip was there right from the beginning when we started looking into him once he entered the transfer portal. The chip was there,” Franklin said. “... Whether it’s his perception or outside perception that he’s got a lot more to give the game and a program.”
Quick hitters
- Franklin said the program’s departure day is to be announced when it comes to traveling to USC, although he did say the team will be flying out of Harrisburg. Added days on the West Coast could make it easier for the Nittany Lions to adjust on the trip.
- Drew Allar is the starting quarterback, but it remains likely that Beau Pribula will see reps at the position in games. Franklin noted how much better the offense was in the final two weeks of the season — after Mike Yurcich was fired — when Pribula was involved.
This story was originally published July 24, 2024 at 7:24 PM.
