Penn State’s Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren will be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night in Green Bay. The 2024 first-team All-Americans were the two biggest reasons James Franklin’s Nittany Lions’ advanced to the college playoff semifinal round last season.

The Tennessee Titans are expected to draft Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick before the drama begins. The Cleveland Browns have the second pick, followed by the New York Giants and New England Patriots. It seems certain that Carter will not slip past the Patriots.

But Carter wants it to be clear: These weren’t freudian slips. He badly wants to (and thinks he will) be a Giant and continue the legendary pass-rush legacy forged by his all-time favorite player, Lawrence Taylor.