Abdul Carter Switches Jersey Number, Aims for Quarterback Pressure

It's March 20th for the NFL.

Let's get into it.

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Abdul Carter, the New York Giants' third overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, went through

a real hunt for the right jersey number.

He first eyed number 56, retired for Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor.

Then he tried number 11 from his Penn State days, but that's taken for Phil Sims, so he

landed on 51 for his rookie campaign.

Carter shone in that number, playing every one of the 17 games.

He topped all rookies with 23 quarterback hits, added four sacks, two force fumbles, and

earned a spot as a finalist for defensive rookie of the year.

Numbers carry weight for Carter, especially number 11 at Penn State, worn by standouts

like Lavar Aarrington and Micah Parsons before him.

Now he's switching to number three for the 2026 season, a nod to his draft spot.

That became free, when back up quarterback Russell Wilson hit free agency after his one

year deal ended.

With new head coach John Harbaugh on board from Baltimore, the Giants aimed to turn around

their 4 and 13 finish, and Carter looks set too.

Pressure quarterbacks in his fresh digits.