Luke Kuechly, the former Carolina Panthers star linebacker renowned for his elite football IQ and dominance, has backed a rising rookie defender. The 2025 NFL Draft showcased a deep defensive class, led by Penn State’s Abdul Carter, who went No. 3 overall to the New York Giants.
Carter, the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, posted a national-best 24 tackles for loss and recorded 12 sacks last season. Following Carter’s selection, Cleveland took defensive tackle Mason Graham at No. 5, and Atlanta drafted linebacker Jalon Walker at No. 15, highlighting a defensive-heavy draft night.
Luke Kuechly Endorses Hidden Defensive Rookie As Contender
Kuechly, the former Carolina Panthers linebacker renowned for his intelligence and dominance, recently endorsed New York Giants rookie Abdul Carter as a prime candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The Giants selected Carter with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, recognizing his playmaking ability and versatility. Kuechly praised Carter’s fit in New York’s defense, stating,
“I’m looking at DPOY. Mentioned Abdul Carter… Abdul Carter is a special player, and with Burns and Dexter Lawrence on that same defensive line, it’s pretty special.”
Abdul Carter for Defensive Rookie of the Year? 👀@heykayadams | @LukeKuechly | @FDSportsbook pic.twitter.com/gVKzhnx6Uo
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 28, 2025
Kuechly emphasized that with Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux up front, Carter could thrive.
“It’s a problem waiting to happen,” he said.
He noted, however, that offensive success would be key:
“Are the Giants going to be good enough on offense to get leads where they can close games out late on the defensive side of the ball?”
Kuechly’s endorsement carries weight given his career achievements. He burst onto the NFL scene in 2012, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year after leading the league in tackles.
In the next year, he was the winner of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, just as the iconic Lawrence Taylor was in the past. Over those eight seasons, Kuechly took part in seven Pro Bowl games and was named First Team All-Pro five times, bridging the gap between run defense and pass coverage.
He made an early retirement to secure his health in the long run thus influencing the league for good. Carter, already attracting attention for his future in New York, discussed jersey options after being drafted.
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Speaking to Micah Parsons on Bleacher Report, Carter said,“I got a number in mind… No. 56 sound real good.”
However, that number belongs to Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor and is retired, symbolizing the immense legacy Carter aims to follow.
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