UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State junior defensive end Abdul Carter was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list on Monday, while redshirt senior+ offensive lineman Sal Wormley was selected to the Outland Trophy watch list.
The Outland Trophy is given to the best interior lineman, offensive or defensive, in college football.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, recognizes the best defensive player in college football.
Abdul Carter · Jr. · DE · 6-3 · 259 · Philadelphia, Pa. · La Salle College High School
- Garnered first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and second-team from the media.
- Tabbed second-team All-American by Sports Illustrated.
- Earned Penn State’s Keystone Award winner on defense, sharing the honor with Kevin Winston Jr.
- Was named second-team All-Big Ten by the media and third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches in 2022.
- Made switch from linebacker to defensive end following 2023 season.
- Has tallied 104 tackles (61 solo), 16 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles, an interception and nine pass breakups entering his third season in Happy Valley.
- Notched 48 tackles (25 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble, an interception, five pass breakups and five QB hurries in 2023.
- According to Pro Football Focus, his 24.1 pass rush win percentage ranked third in the FBS among players with at least 100 pass rush snaps last season.
- Started the 2023 campaign with a solo sack in the fourth quarter against West Virginia.
- Recorded his first career interception against Illinois and posted a career-high nine tackles and a pass breakup at Ohio State.
- Secured a solo sack against Maryland and forced a fumble against Michigan.
- Tied a career high with two sacks at Michigan State.
Sal Wormley · R-Sr.+ · OL · 6-3 · 335 · Newark, N.J. · Smyrna (Del.)
- Has appeared in 30 career games and made 26 starts.
- Named honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media in 2023
- Was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media in 2022.
- Started all 13 games at right guard in 2023.
- Was the Coaching Staff’s Offensive Player of the Game following the Iowa game.
- Allowed just one sack in 406 pass plays in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus.
- Helped Penn State to tally at least 400 yards in six games, including a season-best 586 yards at Michigan State.
- Penn State did not allow a sack against Delaware, Iowa or Rutgers.
- The Nittany Lions rushed for over 200 yards in five games and threw for at least 200 yards in eight games.
- The Nittany Lions had multiple rushing touchdowns in eight games this season.
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce the finalists for the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 2 and the winner will be unveiled December 9 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given annually since 1993, is named in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski played for the Chicago Bears after his college career. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Hall of Fame.
The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on December 12. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on January 22, 2025.
The semifinalists for the Outland Trophy will be announced on November 20. The three finalists for the award will be named on November 26.
The Outland Trophy, created in 1946, is named in honor of Dr. John Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s.
Penn State Football Recognized On Preseason Watch Lists:
Drew Allar – Maxwell Award
Abdul Carter – Nagurski Trophy
Tyler Duzansky – Mannelly Award
Nicholas Singleton – Maxwell Award
Sal Wormley – Outland Trophy
Penn State's season opener at West Virginia on Aug. 31 will kick at noon on FOX. The Nittany Lions return 42 lettermen from last year’s squad – 17 on offense, 22 on defense and three on special teams and bring back 16 starters – seven on offense, seven on defense and two on special teams.
For club and ticket information for the 2024 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.