Abdul Carter is the New York Giants’ explosive young edge defender who’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about defenders in the NFL heading into the 2026 season.
Abdul Carter’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Abdul Jabar Carter |
| Date of Birth | October 3, 2003 |
| Age | 22 years |
| Birthplace | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in / 6 ft 4 in |
| Weight | 252 lbs (114 kg) |
| Position | Outside Linebacker / Edge Defender |
| High School | La Salle College High School, Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania |
| University | Penn State University |
| NFL Draft Year | 2025 |
| Draft Round | 1st Round, 3rd overall pick |
| Current Team | New York Giants |
| Jersey Number | 3 |
| Turned Professional | 2025 |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Spouse | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Official Instagram | @abdu1carter |
Carter stands out as one of the biggest names in his draft class, going third overall to the Giants after a dominant college career. He’s Muslim and wore a traditional thawb on draft day, and fans nicknamed him “Darth Vader” for his intense on-field eye black look.
Early Career
Growing up in North Philadelphia, Carter attended La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, where he racked up 78 tackles and 10 tackles for loss as a senior.
A four-star recruit, he turned down offers from South Carolina and Ole Miss to commit to Penn State. He even played in the Big 33 Football Classic before heading to college. As a die-hard Eagles fan, he attended Super Bowl LIX with his dad in 2025.
College Career
Carter enrolled at Penn State in 2022 and immediately made an impact, though he got ejected for targeting in his very first collegiate game against Purdue. He grew into a full-time starter, finishing his freshman year with 56 tackles and a team-leading 6.5 sacks.
His breakout came in 2024, when he posted 68 tackles, 12 sacks, and 25 tackles for loss, earning him the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award and unanimous All-American honors. Across his three seasons at Penn State, he totaled 172 tackles, 23 sacks, and five forced fumbles before declaring for the NFL draft following the 2025 Orange Bowl.
Professional Career
The New York Giants took Carter third overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he quickly signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $45.2 million rookie deal. His rookie season had some bumps—he was benched for disciplinary reasons twice, including missing a team meeting and a walk-through incident against the Packers.
Despite the slow and shaky start, with just half a sack through his first 12 games, Carter turned things around in December, finishing with 43 total tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles across 17 games.
He placed fifth in the 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Heading into 2026, analysts expect a bigger breakout thanks to a new coaching staff and stronger supporting cast.
Abdul Carter’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Abdul Carter’s net worth between $2-$4 million. This is a modest figure compared to veteran NFL stars, which makes sense since he’s only in his second pro season. His net worth is expected to climb steadily as his contract salary increases through 2028.
Contract
Carter signed a four-year, $45,255,180 fully guaranteed contract with the New York Giants in May 2025, which included a $29,552,848 signing bonus. The deal carries an average annual value of $11,313,795, making him one of the highest-paid rookies in his draft class.
Salary
For the 2026 season, Carter is set to earn a base salary of $1,005,000 plus a roster bonus of $1,892,055, bringing his total cash payout for the year to roughly $2,897,055.
His salary cap hit for 2026 sits at $10,285,267, which is about 3.41% of the Giants’ total cap space. As his rookie deal progresses, his cash earnings are expected to rise significantly in the 2027 and 2028 seasons based on the contract’s structure.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Cash Paid | Base Salary | Signing Bonus Prorated | Roster Bonus | Total Guarantees |
| 2025 | Giants | $30,392,856 | $840,000 | $7,388,214 | $0 | $840,000 |
| 2026 | Giants | $2,897,054 | $1,005,000 | $7,388,214 | $1,892,054 | $2,897,054 |
| 2027 | Giants | $4,954,108 | $1,120,000 | $7,388,214 | $3,834,108 | $4,954,108 |
| 2028 | Giants | $7,011,162 | $1,235,000 | $7,388,214 | $5,776,162 | $7,011,162 |
| Total | Giants | $45,255,180 | $4,200,000 | $29,552,856 | $11,502,324 | $45,255,180 |
Endorsements
Even before entering the NFL, Carter had built solid brand value through his college NIL deals, with On3 valuing his name, image, and likeness at around $478,000. His college-era partnerships included brands like NextGenCamps and Inch & Co., along with regional memorabilia shows. As his NFL profile grows, especially if he has a breakout 2026 season, expect his endorsement portfolio to expand further.
Achievements
| Award/Honor | Year |
| Second-team All-Big Ten | 2022 |
| First-team All-Big Ten | 2023 |
| Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year | 2024 |
| Unanimous All-American | 2024 |
| First-team All-Big Ten | 2024 |
| NFL Draft 3rd Overall Pick | 2025 |
| PFWA All-Rookie Team | 2025 |
Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | GS | Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries |
| 2025 (NFL) | New York Giants | 17 | 6 | 43 | 4.0 | 2 | 2 |
| Career (NFL) | — | 17 | 6 | 43 | 4.0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022 (College) | Penn State | 13 | 6 | 56 | 6.5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 (College) | Penn State | 13 | 13 | 48 | 4.5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 (College) | Penn State | 16 | 16 | 68 | 12.0 | 2 | 0 |
FAQs
1. Who is Abdul Carter?
Abdul Carter is a professional football linebacker for the New York Giants. Born October 3, 2003, in Philadelphia, he played college football at Penn State.
2. What college did Abdul Carter play for?
Carter played for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2022 to 2024. He appeared in 42 games with a 34-8 record.
3. What are Abdul Carter’s college stats?
Over three seasons, Carter recorded 172 tackles, 39.5 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles. In 2024, he had 68 tackles, 23.5 TFL, and 12 sacks.
4. What awards did Abdul Carter win in college?
Carter earned unanimous All-American honors and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. He ranks high in Penn State records for sacks and TFL.
5. How was Abdul Carter drafted?
The New York Giants selected Carter third overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was rated a top prospect for his pass-rushing skills.
6. What is Abdul Carter’s NFL contract?
Carter signed a four-year, $45.2 million fully guaranteed rookie deal with the Giants on May 22, 2025. It includes a $29.5 million signing bonus.
7. What are Abdul Carter’s rookie NFL stats?
In his 2025 rookie season, Carter had 43 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries over 17 games. He heated up late with 3.5 sacks in the final five games.
8. What is Abdul Carter’s height and weight?
Carter measures 6 ft 3¾ in tall and weighs 250-252 lbs. His arm length is 33 inches with a 6 ft 7¼ in wingspan from pro day.
9. What position does Abdul Carter play?
Carter plays linebacker, primarily as an edge rusher. He transitioned full-time to edge in 2024 after playing off-ball linebacker earlier.
10. Why did the Giants draft Abdul Carter?
The Giants drafted Carter to bolster their pass rush alongside players like Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. His explosiveness draws Micah Parsons and Von Miller comparisons.