Carter, Dawkins, Warren Earn Finalist Nods – Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State junior defensive end Abdul Carter was named a finalist for the Bednarik Award on Tuesday, while redshirt senior offensive lineman Nick Dawkins was tabbed a finalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and senior tight end Tyler Warren was tabbed a finalist for the Mackey Award.

The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually, by the Maxwell Football Club, to the outstanding defensive player in college football.

The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, named after Danny Wuerffel, 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at Florida, is considered college football’s premier award for community service. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy embodies Wuerffel’s commitment to being a humanitarian, while honoring student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society. This year marks the 21^st anniversary of the trophy’s founding.

The John Mackey Award is presented annually to the top tight end in college football.

Abdul Carter · Jr. · DE · 6-3 · 252 · Philadelphia, Pa. · La Salle College High School

• Named finalist for Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Lombardi Award.
• Selected semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
• Member of watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award.
• Tabbed a Preseason All-American by the Action Network (1^st team), Associated Press (2^nd team), CBS (2^nd team), ESPN (2^nd team), The Athletic (2^nd team) and the Walter Camp Award.
• Garnered first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and second-team from the media as a linebacker in 2023 and named second-team All-Big Ten by the media and third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches in 2022.
• Tabbed second-team All-American by Sports Illustrated.
• Made switch from linebacker to defensive end following 2023 season.
• Owns 152 tackles (91 solo), 33.5 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, five forced fumbles, an interception and 12 pass breakups in his third season in Happy Valley.
• Has seven career games with 2+ tackles for loss and five games with 2+ sacks.
• His 19 sacks for tied 11th all-time at Penn State.
• In 2024, has 48 tackles (30 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and two forced fumbles.
• Carter sits third in the FBS (1^st in Power Four) with 17.5 tackles for loss and is 20th nationally (4^th in B1G) with eight sacks.
• Ranks fifth among Power Four defensive linemen, and second in the Big Ten, with 30 solo tackles.
• Against Kent State, tallied four tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
• Notched a…