Abdul Carter, a 2022 graduate of La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor, was selected by the New York Giants with the third pick during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

He becomes the first Explorer in school history to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

“I feel like everything happens for a reason, and me having that dream – everything happens for a reason. This is where I was meant to be,” Carter told Sports Illustrated. “All of the emotions definitely hit me when I hugged my mom, hugged my dad, my aunt–all of the people that really helped me get to this moment.” 

The standout linebacker at Penn State University earned All-Big Ten honors last season and helped lead the Explorers to the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship in 2021. He was a three-time First Team All-Catholic selection, an All-State selection, and earned an invitation to the All-American Bowl. 

“Abdul was a once-in-a-generation player for the La Salle College High Schol Football Program,” said La Salle’s current athletic director Bob Zanneo before the draft. “We are excited to see what the future has in store at the NFL-level for Abdul.”  

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Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images, LSCHS