Penn State star edge rusher Abdul Carter has had an astounding 2024 season, and it has not gone unnoticed by the Maxwell Football Club, as he was named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award on Tuesday. The Bednarik Award is presented to the best defensive player in college football each season.
1⃣1⃣ — Semifinalist
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) November 12, 2024
College Football's Defensive POTY 🏆@1NCRDB1 x @BednarikAward pic.twitter.com/GkU2EPfVZA
Carter has been the focal point of Penn State’s defense for the past two seasons. Prior to this season, he made the transition to be a full-time edge rusher, and the move has certainly paid dividends. Carter has eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss in just nine games this season.
Against Washington in last week’s White Out game, Carter totaled six tackles, including four for losses, and two sacks. He was named the Bednarik Award Defensive Player of the Week for his stellar performance in the contest.
Can Abdul Carter win the Bednarik Award?
Let’s take a look at the other 19 finalists for the award.
- Travis Hunter, Colorado
- Malaki Starks, Georgia
- Mason Graham, Michigan
- Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- James Pearce, Tennessee
- Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
- Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr., Virginia Tech
- Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
- Nohl Williams, California
- Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
- Mikail Kamara, Indiana
- Jay Higgins, Iowa
- Mike Green, Marshall
- Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
- Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
- Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
- Kyle Kennar, South Carolina
- Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
- Jahdae Barron, Texas
Carter ranks 11th in the country for sacks, and 3rd in the country for tackles for loss. Unlike an award given to one specific position, it is difficult to compare these players to each other because some are linemen, some linebackers, others cornerbacks, and safeties. The winners of the award come from all positions on the defense, but the typical winners are linebackers and edge rushers.
Last year’s winner was Payton Wilson, a linebacker from NC State. He had 138 total tackles with 18 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three interceptions. He was NC State’s Swiss army knife, and he justly took home the award. Other previous winners include former Alabama edge Will Anderson, former Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis, and former Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins.
Who will win the Bednarik Award?
Carter’s chances of winning the Bednarik are certainly high. He has impressive stats to support his magnificent play this season. If he keeps this production up for the last few games of the season, he will have a great opportunity to claim the hardware.
The frontrunners for the award should be Carter alongside Michigan’s Mason Graham, Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, and Tennessee’s James Pearce. However, there are a few under-the-radar players who have had monster seasons like Cal’s Nohl Williams, who leads college football with seven interceptions, and Virginia Tech’s Antwaun Powell-Ryland, who leads college football with 13 sacks.
At this moment, Penn State's very own Abdul Carter would be my pick for the Bednarik Award. He has been an absolute game wrecker on a top-five team this season, and his production stacks up with Pearce and Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton. Carter will need to finish with at least 12 sacks and top 20 tackles for loss to be the frontrunner for the award come December.