Abdul Carter had a great collegiate career with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Coming out of La Salle College High School, the edge rusher spent three seasons under James Franklin. Carter declared for the 2025 NFL Draft and is considered one of the top defensive prospects.

Carter played his first two seasons for the Nittany Lions as a linebacker before switching to EDGE in 2024. There, he recorded 66 pressures, 43 hurries, and 39 STOPs. Carter tied for second in the FBS in pressures (66; Mikail Kamara of Indiana had 68), and he was second in STOPs behind Mike Green of Marshall, who had 49.

Carter was in the first group of players to speak with reporters at the NFL's annual scouting combine in Indianapolis, and he wasted no time declaring himself the top player in the 2025 draft class.