Four-star LB Abdul Carter updates recruitment following visits

Four-star outside linebacker Abdul Carter was a late addition to Penn State’s official visit list this past weekend.

Back on June 6, the Philadelphia native attended Penn State’s Whiteout Camp to work with defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Pry. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, he posted some excellent times, running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and a 4.4-second shuttle. Pry, as well as head coach James Franklin, were already interested in Carter previously, but after that performance, he became an even more serious option for the Nittany Lions moving forward.

“That was the first camp I’ve been to, so I think I started off a little slow, but as the day went on and I got more reps I think I performed better,” Carter said. “So, it went well. They’ve always been talking to me regularly, but I think after the camp, they saw that I’m serious, so they decided to get on me a little bit more after that.”

Related: Five-star DE Dani Dennis-Sutton updates his recruitment

Carter already had an official visit scheduled to South Carolina for June 7-9, as well as an unofficial visit to Ole Miss on June 18. That left this past weekend as the only opportunity to get him back on campus, and Penn State took advantage of that.

“What impressed me the most was my position meeting with Coach Pry and how I would fit into his defense,” Carter said. “I like their plans and how they could use me. But also, everyone was very friendly, very welcoming. My host, Jamari [Buddin], is a pretty quiet guy, but he said he loved it up there. He said that when I come into that next level, everything moves very fast and that it’s a business. He was saying that I should do every rep I do now at 100 percent speed, in practice, in games, everything, because when I come up there, everything moves really fast.”

Carter, who plays at La Salle College High, grew up playing youth football with Penn State commit Ken Talley, who was also on campus this past weekend. He said they’ve stayed in touch over the years.

“I played with one of the commits growing up, Ken Talley. I played [youth league] with Ken and we’ve stayed in touch," he said. "We’ve been friends for the last couple of years. We don’t really talk about recruiting much. He’s told me that I should come there and that the place is big, close to home, that kind of stuff.”

Shane Beamer and his staff at South Carolina have also done a great job with Carter since taking over the football program in December. He wasn’t officially offered until his visit earlier this month, but is now a serious options for the Gamecocks.

“That went great as well. All of their coaches there are serious about taking that program, changing that program for the better," Carter said. "They’re very family-oriented. I felt like they have a good bond and they’re excited about what they can do there. They all really support each other. Coach [Clayton] White, the defensive coordinator, really showed me how technical they are with the little stuff. I know they can teach me a lot. I really took that away from my talk with them.”

Carter also camped at Ohio State, but the Buckeyes are yet to an extend an offer. For now, he’s focused on the three schools he visited, but Carter also made it clear that he’s in no rush to decide.

“My top schools are Penn State, South Carolina and Ole Miss, and Ohio State is interested," he said. "I camped there and they’re showing interest, but right now, those three are the ones I’m focused on. It would be ideal for me to know where I’m going before my senior season, but I’m just taking it slow right now. This is a big decision for me and I don’t want to be one of those guys who decommit or go into the transfer portal. I’m just taking it slow and looking everything over.”

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