Abdul Carter: What would Penn State star bring to the NY Giants?
Penn State star Abdul Carter is expected to be the first defensive player off the board in 2025 NFL Draft. The Giants currently hold the No. 3 pick.
- Penn State’s cornerback group, a strength last year, is expected to be even better this season.
- Sophomore Elliot Washington has impressed coaches, potentially becoming a starter alongside A.J. Harris.
- Returning players like Audavion Collins and Zion Tracy add depth and experience to the cornerback position.
Penn State football returns one of the top cornerback rooms in the Big Ten and beyond.
And it only appears to be trending upwards this spring.
Four experienced corners − all juniors − are back from the group that sparked a defense ranked fourth nationally in interceptions, seventh in total yards and was lauded for its aggressive pass coverage.
Now, one of them is enjoying an offseason like no other.
Elliot Washington has developed from a special teams standout as a true freshman to a top backup last year − to one of the most intriguing players on the team.
Take Penn State’s six graded winter workout sessions under new coordinator Jim Knowles, as evidence. Washington was stunningly named the top cornerback performer each time. He’s now the favorite to start opposite A.J. Harris this season.
“I’ve never seen that before. Never had a guy win every single one,” coach James Franklin said of Washington’s workout accolades.
“I tell my coaches all the time, this isn’t like elementary school or kindergarten or little league, where everybody gets a smiley face and you try to spread the wealth so everybody’s happy. You give it to the guy who’s earned it, and Elliot came to work every single day.
“(He’s) super-explosive, maybe the most explosive guy we have on our team,” Franklin said, continuing. “Maybe the most horsepower in terms of speed on our team. There’s a lot of excitement in the building and he’s earned it.”
Penn State football cornerbacks: A.J. Harris to Zion Tracy to Audavion Collins
Last spring, Audavion Collins, the transfer from Mississippi State, received repeated praise as the team’s most improved defender. While he did flash his instincts and skills (26 tackles, interception) last fall, he couldn’t break through with so many fighting for time.
“He’s gotten better every single semester and every single year,” Franklin said of Collins. “We expect him to take another step this year and factor in, whether as a starter or in the rotation. He’s been a really good pickup for us. He’s a positive guy, always has a smile on his face, always has great energy.”
Penn State’s cornerback room, led by longtime assistant Terry Smith, is impressively deep, even after losing starter Jalen Kimber to the NFL and Cam Miller, who transferred to Rutgers.
Harris is the No. 1 starter after earning All-Big Ten recognition last season (48 tackles, five pass breakups, interception). Zion Tracy thrived as a backup and returned an interception for a touchdown against Ohio State. And Washington led the team with six pass breakups, despite missing a couple of games to injury.
A trio of freshmen corners, including incoming rookie Daryus Dixson, one of the top defensive back recruits in the nation, will push the frontliners this spring and summer.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
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