Penn State highest NFL draft picks: Where will Abdul Carter, Tyler Warren land?

[ASFN Admin]

Penn State football could make history at the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The Nittany Lions, which have had 42 players selected in the first round in program history, could have two more players selected on Thursday — maybe even in the top 10. Edge Abdul Carter is a potential top-three pick, while tight end Tyler Warren could join his teammate in the top half of the first round.

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Penn State would join Alabama (2023) as the last team with two players (Bryce Young and Will Anderson) selected in the top 10. Of course, the Nittany Lions also claim the Nos. 1 and 2 picks of the 2000 NFL Draft, when defensive end Courtney Brown and linebacker LaVar Arrington were the first two selections, respectively.

Last season, the Nittany Lions saw offensive lineman Olu Fashanu go No. 11 overall to the New York Jets. Ten picks later, their AFC East rivals, the Miami Dolphins, selected edge Chop Robinson with the 21st overall pick. The time in between picks actually allowed coach James Franklinenough time to make it to both draft parties.

Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, here’s a look at Penn State's NFL draft history, including its highest-ever selections:

Who is the highest NFL draft pick in Penn State history?​

Carter is projected to go No. 3 overall to the New York Giants. However, he won't be the highest-picked Penn State player in the Nittany Lions' NFL draft history. That honor belongs to defensive end Courtney Brown (2000) and running back Ki-Jana Carter (1995), who each went No. 1 overall.

Running back Blair Thomas went No. 2 overall in the 1990 NFL Draft, followed by Arrington in 2000 and fellow running back Saquon Barkley in 2018.

Running back Curt Warner (1983) is the lone Nittany Lion to ever go No. 3 overall.

Highest drafted Penn State players​

How many Nittany Lions were drafted in the first round? The number is 42, including the 2024 NFL Draft. Half of the 42 have been selected in the top 10, including two No. 1 overall picks and three No. 2 overall selections.

Carter and Warren can bring that number up to 44 first-round picks, including 23 in the top 10. Warren would need to be a top-six pick to top Ted Kwalick (No. 7 in 1969) as the highest-drafted tight end from Penn State.

Here’s a look at the highest-drafted players in the Nittany Lions' history, a list Carter is sure to join on Thursday:

• RB Ki-Jana Carter: No. 1 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals (1995)
• DE Courtney Brown: No. 1 overall to the Cleveland Browns (2000)
• LB LaVar Arrington: No. 2 overall to the Washington Redskins (2000)
• RB Saquon Barkley: No. 2 overall to the New York Giants (2018)
• RB Blair Thomas: No. 2 overall to the New York Jets (1990)
• RB Curt Warner: No. 3 overall to the Seattle Seahawks (1983)
• WR Kenny Jackson: No. 4 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles (1984)
• DL Bruce Clark: No. 4 overall to the Green Bay Packers (1980)
• QB Richie Lucas: No. 4 overall to the Washington Redskins (1960)
• QB Kerry Collins: No. 5 overall to the Carolina Panthers (1995)
• RB Curtis Enis: No. 5 overall to Chicago Bears (1998)
• OT Levi Brown: No. 5 overall to the Arizona Cardinals (2007)
• DL Mike Reid: No. 7 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals (1970)
• TE Ted Kwalick: No. 7 overall to the San Francisco 49ers (1969)
• QB Todd Blackledge: No. 7 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs (1983)
• LB Ed O'Neil: No. 8 overall to the Detroit Lions (1974)
• OL Mike Munchak: No. 8 overall to the Houston Oilers (1982)
• LB Shane Conlan: No. 8 overall to the Buffalo Bills (1987)
• RB Lenny Moore: No. 9 overall to the Baltimore Colts (1956)
• TE Kyle Brady: No. 9 overall to the New York Jets (1995)
• OL Keith Dorney: No. 10 overall to the Detroit Lions (1979)

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State highest NFL draft picks: Where will Abdul Carter land?

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