Film Study - PSU LB Abdul Carter vs. Rutgers

[CaliLION79]

No. 11 vs. Rutgers

See link. Easy topic choice this week. Coach touches upon it a bit in the video, but aside from the closing speed and rushing unblocked in the A gap on blitzes and all the WOW highlight stuff, Carter's maturity really stands out on tape. He stays true to his assignment, doesn't color outside the lines too much, doesn't try to be a hero. For a young guy, that's refreshing to see and a compliment to how he's been coached and how he takes to instruction. Obviously, the LBs looked like deer in headlights vs. Michigan, but other than those 4 quarters of unpleasantness, not enough gets talked about re: Diaz's influence as LB coach...because, as a whole, this unit is the weakest link talentwise on the entire team but it feels like they've exceeded expectations and might have a future All-American blossoming in front of our eyes. If you're a 4- 5-star hs kid, IDK how you don't give playing in this defense serious consideration. For lack of a better term, it just looks "fun" to play in.

 

[PSUEngineer89]

No. 11 vs. Rutgers

See link. Easy topic choice this week. Coach touches upon it a bit in the video, but aside from the closing speed and rushing unblocked in the A gap on blitzes and all the WOW highlight stuff, Carter's maturity really stands out on tape. He stays true to his assignment, doesn't color outside the lines too much, doesn't try to be a hero. For a young guy, that's refreshing to see and a compliment to how he's been coached and how he takes to instruction. Obviously, the LBs looked like deer in headlights vs. Michigan, but other than those 4 quarters of unpleasantness, not enough gets talked about re: Diaz's influence as LB coach...because, as a whole, this unit is the weakest link talentwise on the entire team but it feels like they've exceeded expectations and might have a future All-American blossoming in front of our eyes. If you're a 4- 5-star hs kid, IDK how you don't give playing in this defense serious consideration. For lack of a better term, it just looks "fun" to play in.

Watched your Youtube link.

Nice analysis, and you can really see his speed.

 

[Cowbell Man]

I thought this thread would just be a gif of a ballistic missile.

 

[GregInPitt]

No. 11 vs. Rutgers

See link. Easy topic choice this week. Coach touches upon it a bit in the video, but aside from the closing speed and rushing unblocked in the A gap on blitzes and all the WOW highlight stuff, Carter's maturity really stands out on tape. He stays true to his assignment, doesn't color outside the lines too much, doesn't try to be a hero. For a young guy, that's refreshing to see and a compliment to how he's been coached and how he takes to instruction. Obviously, the LBs looked like deer in headlights vs. Michigan, but other than those 4 quarters of unpleasantness, not enough gets talked about re: Diaz's influence as LB coach...because, as a whole, this unit is the weakest link talentwise on the entire team but it feels like they've exceeded expectations and might have a future All-American blossoming in front of our eyes. If you're a 4- 5-star hs kid, IDK how you don't give playing in this defense serious consideration. For lack of a better term, it just looks "fun" to play in.

Thanks for posting this.

Diaz has made a nice impact, especially with the young LB's Carter and King.

But I don't believe the LB to be the weakest talent wise. With Jacobs, who played at an all B10 level in 2021 at Sam, along with Carter and King which pushes Sutherland and Elsdon back to backups where their talent level should put them, the LB unit holds its own with the rest of the defense. Overall the WR group, even with 11 scholarship WR's on the roster, seems like the obvious choice for a position where the talent is lacking.

If Rojas and Robinson hit the ground running and Jacobs returns next years LB unit could lead the defense. Diaz will have another challenge in finding a replacement for Jacobs if he decides to leave. Maybe Diaz will have Mills or even Wylie or Buddin ready to take over Sam by next Fall ......

 

[KC-KS-Lion]

No. 11 vs. Rutgers

See link. Easy topic choice this week. Coach touches upon it a bit in the video, but aside from the closing speed and rushing unblocked in the A gap on blitzes and all the WOW highlight stuff, Carter's maturity really stands out on tape. He stays true to his assignment, doesn't color outside the lines too much, doesn't try to be a hero. For a young guy, that's refreshing to see and a compliment to how he's been coached and how he takes to instruction. Obviously, the LBs looked like deer in headlights vs. Michigan, but other than those 4 quarters of unpleasantness, not enough gets talked about re: Diaz's influence as LB coach...because, as a whole, this unit is the weakest link talentwise on the entire team but it feels like they've exceeded expectations and might have a future All-American blossoming in front of our eyes. If you're a 4- 5-star hs kid, IDK how you don't give playing in this defense serious consideration. For lack of a better term, it just looks "fun" to play in.

Nice to match a high-end LB talent with similar coaching talent...and seeing results year one. I'm thinking the Michigan game may have accelerated the buy-in to Diaz's system and philosophy, both the young and older players...and again the results seem real attractive to a recruit....it's been TOO long for this type of play at State.

 

[Obliviax]

This kid is special. I don't believe he got a ton of playing time in the first four games so his stats are not really full season stats. But his athleticism simply jumps off the screen at you. Parsons without the "tude."

 

[GregInPitt]

Nice to match a high-end LB talent with similar coaching talent...and seeing results year one. I'm thinking the Michigan game may have accelerated the buy-in to Diaz's system and philosophy, both the young and older players...and again the results seem real attractive to a recruit....it's been TOO long for this type of play at State.

That's a good take on it.

Makes me go back to when Trautwein was hired, and expecting Trautwein to make more out of the OL talent that was being brought in. I guess the talent brought in on the OL was not at the same level as at LB to some degree, and the fact that it takes longer to develop OL talent from both a strength and coaching perspective......

 

[lazydave841]

But I don't believe the LB to be the weakest talent wise.

Coming into the season, it certainly was. Jacobs was a good Sam, but he wasn't quite a high end guy and looked lost at Will.

Beyond that, we had a group of relative unknowns and a S converted to LB. Credit to Manny, they are starting to react quicker. The tackling has improved. A great amount of improvement has occurred since the Michigan game.

The key is Abdul Carter. He's the best LB on the roster by far. Getting him on the field with Jacobs has elevated both of them, but Carter is becoming in tune with what he's assigned. Perfect example is the play FTB highlights where Carter sheds a block from the backside and runs the back down from behind.

 

[LMTLION]

Earlier this year Arrington made a comment on the fox sports radio show about perhaps Carter having the potential to be the best #11 yet. He may be right. His closing speed is just outstanding. These guys like Parsons and Carter are faster than WRs from 40 years ago.