Daniel Jeremiah, Todd McShay Rank Abdul Carter Top Prospect, Talk Micah Parsons Comp

NFL draft analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Todd McShay ranked Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter as the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 draft class and discussed comparisons to former Nittany Lion Micah Parsons.

“Abdul Carter, I have up on a tier by himself,” Jeremiah told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. “I don’t think he’s quite as firm and strong as Micah. Crazily enough, I think he plays as fast as he does. He has a really good feel and he can bend like crazy at the top of his rush.”

McShay also confirmed that he has Carter listed above Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner.

"I’d go with Abdul over Travis because I know definitively what I’m getting,” McShay said, per Breer. “When you set the bar that high with Micah, it makes it easier in same jersey number, same school. It’s the combination of his ability to change directions, the body control, he’s violent with every move, with his hands, he’s explosive. He’s just a damn good football player.”

Carter wrapped up a dominant junior season with Penn State, racking up 68 tackles and 24 tackles for loss to go along with 12 sacks. He also recorded four passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

The 21-year-old switched to a traditional defensive end role in 2024 after primarily operating off the ball in his first two seasons with the Nittany Lions, showing the versatility that Parsons also possesses.

"You’re seeing a different role for these players in college than what they’re going to be in the NFL,” Jeremiah said, via Breer. “It’s as simple as these are full-force athletes, freakshow athletes, and it’s dealer’s choice of where you wanted to play them. It always helps when you have recent proof of concept of how something could work, and Micah provided that.”

Carter shouldn't have to wait long to hear his name called on draft night, as he was also ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect on the most recent big board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

While Carter's college background and jersey number naturally led to comparisons to Parsons, his production in multiple roles on the field has also resulted in connections to the Dallas Cowboys star.