Kyle Carter

Carter burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2012 with 36 grabs for 453 yards and two touchdowns. Since then, he has yet to match those stats over the last two seasons (34 rec, 375 yds, 2 TD in 2013 & 2014). Part of that has to do with Jesse James taking over as the team’s tight end, part of it has to do with some nagging injuries, but Carter appears to be ready for a bounceback campaign in 2015. James has moved on to the NFL, leaving Carter as the top tight end option for the Nittany Lions. In Penn State’s first season under OC John Donovan, James racked up eerily similar numbers to Carter’s 2012 campaign with 38 catches for 396 yards and three touchdowns. A healthy portion of James’ receptions came on third-and-short situations, making him a valuable chain-mover in the offense. If Carter assumes a similar role, and possibly get some more looks in the red-zone, this should be a productive season for the senior tight end. It’s also worth noting that Carter worked on his blocking throughout the offseason, which drew praise from coach James Franklin. Carter told pennlive.com that “The thing that Coach Franklin and even Coach [Bill] O'Brien was preaching to me when he was here is the better you block, the easier it is to catch the ball cause they're going to have to worry about both things.”