It’s a good year to be a Penn State fan. The Nittany Lions are walking into 2025 ranked No. 2 in the country with Drew Allar locked in at quarterback, James Franklin finally coaching like his job depends on it, and legitimate national championship expectations. But if you’re only tuned into Happy Valley, you might be missing something just as intriguing brewing with the New York Giants.
For the first time in a long time, Big Blue is looking sneaky good entering the regular season, and that narrative is helped by two former Lions who are looking to break out in a big way. Linebacker Abdul Carter and tight end Theo Johnson are here to lift both sides of the ball. And based on their respective camps and preseason appearances, that's exactly what fans should expect.
This has nothing to do with Nittany nostalgia. Carter’s flying around like the most electric defender on the field, and Johnson looks ready for a huge Year 2 leap. If you’re a Penn State fan looking for an NFL team to ride with this fall, the Giants should be on the radar.
Giants’ defense and offense both get major lift from Penn State duo
1. Abdul Carter looks like a top-three pick is supposed to
Abdul Carter didn’t waste time showing why Big Blue drafted him third overall. He played just six snaps in the preseason opener and got pressure on half of them. That included beating four-time Pro Bowler Dion Dawkins twice and blowing past O’Cyrus Torrence from the three-tech spot. If you blinked, you missed the quarterback running for his life.
Carter was the best defensive player in college football last year. He racked up 23.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and did it while switching from linebacker to full-time edge. That versatility has already shown up in New York. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has lined him up all over the place: edge, off-ball, even sliding inside. He looks like a chaos engine no matter where he’s placed.
There are still things to clean up. He can overrun plays and get stuck on power at times. But the burst, the bend, the hands... that stuff can't be taught. If you’re wondering how this Penn State defense kept teams in check last season, it started with Carter setting the tone. Now he’s doing it in Giants blue. It’s not a matter of if he breaks out; it’s how fast. Week 1 might not be ready for what’s coming.
2. Theo Johnson might be biggest receiving threat outside of Malik Nabers (literally)
Theo Johnson didn’t rack up big numbers last year, but that was never the point. The Giants took him because he can block, run, and create mismatches. Even on a limited snap count, he was productive. If not for a foot injury late in the year, he likely finishes with one of the better rookie stat lines on the team.
His size lets him stay on the field in every personnel group, and his athleticism gives him a shot to win on routes most guys his size can’t run. That includes screens, seams, and play-action slips.
The foot’s still something to monitor... he hasn't been seen at practice in a while. But if he stays healthy, he’s going to see targets and become a massive part of the offense. Malik Nabers will see the (Nittany) lion's share of the touches — see what I did there — but Johnson won't be far behind. With Russell Wilson in as the QB, expect the 24-year-old to become a major player up the seam and in the red zone.
The Giants didn’t plan for a Penn State reunion. They just needed to acquire talent. Turns out Carter and Johnson just happened to fit the bill. If this season ends with any kind of real turnaround, they’re going to be two big reasons why. So, if you're a Penn State fan on Saturdays, it might be time to moonlight as a Giants fan on Sundays.