Is July too early for a preseason All-America team? Not at all. Kudos to the Walter Camp Football Foundation for starting a Watch List season two months before the actual season.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation, which runs the nation's longest-running All-America team, released its preseason version on Monday, and included Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter, a two-time All-Big Ten selection as a linebacker. The Walter Camp Football Foundation recognized the Nittany Lions star as a second-team linebacker, even though he will play defensive end this season.
the news releaseYale University coach Walter Camp is considered the “Father of American Football” for selecting the first All-American team in 1889. The Walter Camp Foundation was established in 1967 to continue the annual selection of the All-American team.
Carter is Penn State's lone representative on Walter Camp's preseason team. Ohio State has five representative players, including running back Quinshon Judkins and safety Caleb Downs, both of whom transferred to the program this offseason.
A fun fact about the Walter Camp All-America team: In 1975, Penn State's Chris Barr was selected as the first kicker.
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Abdul-Carter moves to defensive end
Carter approached the Penn State staff during the offseason about moving from linebacker to defensive end, and head coach James Franklin agreed, as he already viewed Carter as a promising player at the position.
“I remember when I recruited Abdul, I thought he was a defensive end, but Abdul and [his] “My dad was adamant that he should be a linebacker,” Franklin said. “The fact of the matter is, we really wanted him in our program and knew he was going to be a really good player wherever he played, but this wasn't a decision that came from us. I think there are a few reasons why Abdul really wanted to make this move and we're excited.”
Carter's move follows the departure of defensive ends Chopp Robinson and Adisa Isaac to the NFL. The Nittany Lions are blessed with plenty of talent at defensive end, but adding a dynamic player like Carter would make the team a much better addition.
“Obviously, we lost some defensive ends that were really productive this past year,” Franklin said. “I'm really happy with the team we have right now, but adding Abdul to the team will be a plus for us. He's really been struggling to keep up with the team.
His weight as a linebacker. Him and Kobe [King]They've been hovering around 250 pounds for a while. So I think his body was just naturally telling him that he could move if he needed to and if he wanted to. And there's an opportunity there. So with the depth and the talent and the length that we want at the defensive end position, I think this is going to be an advantage for everybody.
“… I know Abdul is excited and we're excited for the opportunity to work with him, but this is a big change. He's never really done anything like this before and it's a big change. It's not like you decide to make a move, you snap your fingers and you're automatically a defensive end. The closer you get to the ball, the world changes. Like when you go back to the secondary, the world changes. We're excited to watch him grow and develop and it should be exciting.”
Penn State will open the 2024 season at West Virginia University on Aug. 31. Kickoff is scheduled to air at noon ET on FOX.
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AllPennState is the home for Penn State news, opinions and views on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years and has followed three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and plenty of great stories. Follow him on X (or Twitter). Mark Wogenrich.
