Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1535618
J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 5 5 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M A bdul Carter has his first number in New York. He did not settle on it without stirring up some contro- versy along the way. After Giants Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor declined the 2025 first-round pick's request to wear his retired No. 56 jersey, Carter settled on No. 51, telling reporters in New York that the pick was more about availability than anything else. "I feel good," Carter told the New York Post after the Giants opened rookie mini- camp, which marked the defender's first action with his new team after it drafted him with the third overall selection in late April. "I feel like it's going to have to grow on me a little bit, but it's feeling good right now. "Pretty much what we had available. It was a good number. It's pretty much set. I'm just happy to be out here playing foot- ball. That's all I'm worried about." It puts to rest a first jersey number stir that featured everyone from Rob Gronkowski to Phil Simms, who also de- clined to make his No. 11 Giants jersey, which is also retired, available to Carter. With rookie minicamp now also in the books, it's full steam ahead for the Phila- delphia native during his first pro season. "Whatever they feel is best, I'm going to listen to what they say, so whatever they tell me to do, that's what I'm going to do. Just do my job," Carter said, per GiantsWire. "I was talking to Coach, 'Line me up at fullback, tight end, and I can block and catch,' so wherever they need me, I'm going to line up. "I'm not worrying about Sunday right now. I'm just focused on rookie mini- camp, taking everything one day at a time." In other first-round pick news, Tyler Warren will wear No. 84 for the India- napolis Colts. He, too, went through his first rookie camp as a pro in mid-May. "I'm excited to be here and get back in the flow of football — actually getting on the field and playing football after this long process where I was doing a lot of stuff that wasn't football," War- ren told Colts.com. "It was good to be out here with everybody and get back in the flow. "They say you're never working if you're doing what you love, right? That's what I've been doing my whole life, so I'm continuing to do that, doing what I love and what I feel like I'm supposed to be doing. It's a lot of fun." J-THOMAS SIGNS WITH BUCS Former Penn State defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas had a lengthy wait to find his first NFL home, but the one-time Nittany Lion parlayed a rookie minicamp tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into a roster spot. J-Thomas joins cor- nerback Jalen Kimber (Tennessee Titans), defensive tackle Coziah Izzard (Kansas City Chiefs) and offensive lineman Sal Wormley (Jacksonville Jaguars) in signing an undrafted free-agent deal. In less-fortunate news, former Nittany Lion Julian Fleming did not sign with the Green Bay Packers after failing a physical, the News-Item reports. NO DEAL YET FOR PARSONS Linebacker Micah Parsons had not yet signed a contract extension with the Dal- las Cowboys as of mid-May. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones described the contract discussions as "a work in progress." Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro selection, has said he won't hold out, even if he doesn't have a new deal by the start of training camp. "I don't want to get off to a slow start," he told DallasCowboys.com. "I want to hit the ground running and … get some wins early in the season and be in rhythm. It's going to be extremely important for me to get going and lead these guys." OTHER NFL NEWS • The defending Super Bowl cham- pion Philadelphia Eagles will open the 2025 NFL season on Sept. 4 when they hoist their banner before hosting Dallas in prime time on a Thursday night. It means Penn State alums Saquon Barkley, Tariq Castro-Fields and Jahan Dotson will square off with Parsons, Miles Sand- ers, who signed with the Cowboys this offseason, and Amani Oruwariye. The Eagles are early 6.5-point favorites at FanDuel. • Former Penn State team captain Jona- than Sutherland signed a new deal with Las Vegas in mid-May. As part of signing a few new players, the Raiders cut former Nittany Lion linebacker Brandon Smith. He did not have a new team as of the time of this edition's publication. • Former PSU defensive end Amin Vanover was one of 20 invitees to the Mi- ami Dolphins' rookie minicamp in mid- May. Vanover had been seeking a sixth year of eligibility following the 2024 sea- son, but his petition was denied by the NCAA. ■ Lions' First-Rounders Eager To Make An Impact GREG PICKEL | GREG.PICKEL@ON3.COM PSU IN THE PROS Two days after he was drafted No. 14 overall by the Indianapolis Colts, Tyler Warren was back at Penn State for the Blue-White Game. During a break in the action, he was presented with the Mackey Award, which he earned last season as the nation's top tight end. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS