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Penn State Football: revisiting some preseason bold predictions for the defense

By Nick Kreiser

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 17: Members of the Penn State Nittany Lions during their game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 17: Members of the Penn State Nittany Lions during their game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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Oct 1, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Abdul Carter (11) reacts after a tackle against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Abdul Carter (11) reacts after a tackle against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

Second half bold prediction #1 – Abdul Carter ends up leading the team in tackles

Despite missing basically the entire Purdue game due to an early targeting ejection, true freshman Abdul Carter is second on the team in total tackles with 18. Only Ji’Ayir Brown–who has 25 tackles to this point–has more.

Carter has been wildly impressive early on in his Penn State Football career, he’s been one of the pleasant surprises from the first five games of the season, and he’s been able to be a key contributor on this defense as a result.

As he continues to improve on a weekly basis, I anticipate Abdul Carter will continue to see more and more playing time; and even if he never is officially a starter this season, will play just as many snaps as a starter would. If so, that gives him plenty of opportunities to make plays, and make tackles.

He’s certainly in a good position to lead this team in tackles at this point, but can the true freshman continue his success as the competition gets tougher? I believe he can, and that’s why I’m predicting that he’ll end up as the team’s leader in total tackles in 2022.

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