Could Penn State have more sacks without Abdul Carter? Prediction
Abdul Carter is one of the best players Penn State has produced in decades. Everyone who watched the Nittany Lions — especially the CFP semifinal vs. Notre Dame — saw that. The New York Giants took Carter with the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft, and one could argue he deserved to go higher. That’s how good Carter was in Happy Valley.
The Nittany Lions will undoubtedly miss Carter in 2025. They’ll miss his constant threat off the edge, and they’ll miss his 12 sacks, which ranked seventh in the FBS last season.
But could Penn State’s pass rush actually be more productive in its first year without Carter?
Prediction: Penn State will have more sacks in 2025 than it did in 2024.
This is not an exercise in mental gymnastics suggesting Penn State’s defense will be better without Carter. That would be foolish. But I do think there’s a real opportunity for the defense to be more prolific in 2025 than it was in 2024.
Last season, Penn State racked up 44 sacks, ranking fifth in the FBS. The Lions are losing Carter’s 12 sacks. They’re also losing 14 combined sacks from defensive ends Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert, linebacker Kobe King, safety Jaylen Reed, defensive tackle Coziah Izzard and others. That’s 26 sacks lost — or 59% of the total figure.
That’s a hefty number to replace in order to match last year’s total, let alone surpass it. But there’s reason to believe in Jim Knowles’ prowess and the returning talent.Dani Dennis-Sutton is a major piece of the puzzle. The rising senior is ready to move out from Carter’s shadow and assert himself as a first-round draft pick. Dennis-Sutton had 8 1/2 sacks last season thanks to a flurry finish with 4 1/2 sacks in three CFP games. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound force has developed from promising five-star recruit to a full-on game-wrecker.
On the opposite side of the line, Max Granville is poised to break out in a big way as a sophomore. Sixth-year senior Zuriah Fisher flashed his ability to get after the QB in 2023, in between a pair of seasons lost due to injury. Enai White, Jaylen Harvey, Jordan Mayer, Mylachi Williams and even freshman Yvan Kemajou are in-line for rotational roles.On the interior, no one is more important than Zane Durant. The explosive defensive tackle had three sacks (it felt like more) and 11 TFLs (sounds about right) in 2024. Durant was ever-present, and his impact will be felt every snap he’s on the field.
Tony Rojas is another factor here. Last year was Rojas’ first as a full-time starter, and he had some growing pains. But the freakishly athletic linebacker has a nose for the football and the speed necessary to be a weapon. Add in North Carolina transfer Amare Campbell (6 1/2 sacks in 2024), and the linebackers should be more effective blitzers
