Tyler Warren and Abdul Carter stood on the turf in Holuba Hall Friday morning and watched as their former teammates took part in Penn State’s pro day. Warren and Carter, both projected first round picks who could both go in the top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft, declined to participate in the workout just under a month before they hear their names called.
Carter is recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered in the Fiesta Bowl — although he said he’s close to 100% healthy — while Warren said his decision was about making sure he’s in the best shape he can be when the preseason starts.
And that first preseason is inching closer for the two players as their futures begin to take shape, with both starting to plan how they’ll take in the draft. Carter intends to be at the draft, saying it’s a dream to walk across that stage, while Warren is still deciding but is leaning toward staying home in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
“I think having my family around is really important,” Warren said at the pro day. “My grandparents can’t travel around as easy, so doing it at home, where they can be there since they weren’t able to come up to any Penn State games, is kind of a big reason why I want to do it at home.”
Warren and Carter have taken different paths as they prepare for that day. The tight end said it’s been an adjustment during the process as NFL teams talk to him for interviews.
Those teams are trying to determine who Warren is from a character standpoint, which requires Warren to talk about his least favorite subject — himself.
“That is kind of one of the things that that is a little weird about this, right?” Warren said. “You kind of have to be selfish. And it’s really about you for a few months, until you do get on a team. So it has been a little weird for me, and I’ve had to adjust, but I still am trying to be the same person I was when I was here. And so it hasn’t changed the way I kind of handle it too much, but it is a little bit different.”
Carter has taken to the process differently, campaigning for himself to be the No. 1 pick and explaining why a defensive end should be considered as impactful as a quarterback by teams. But he acknowledged that going first isn’t the end-all-be-all.
“I feel like everything happens for a reason,” Carter said. “If I don’t go number one, it wasn’t meant to be. But I’m also gonna have that motivation if they don’t select me. [It’ll] just be extra motivation, can’t wait until I see them. But I feel like everything happens for a reason — wherever I’m meant to be, that’s where I’m gonna be.”
Abdul Carter congratulates Jalen Kimber after his 40-yard dash during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Abdul Carter congratulates Jalen Kimber after his 40-yard dash during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
And while those two have taken divergent paths, they’re likely to end up having a similar result — hearing their names called on April 24 in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
But they weren’t the only former Nittany Lions at Friday’s pro day. Here’s what stood out from players who participated in the on-field workouts and testing in Holuba Hall.
Notes and observations
Safety K.J. Winston ran the 40-yard dash despite being tearing his ACL just six months ago. Winston ran a 4.50 — not his best time, but impressive considering his injury recovery timeline.
K.J. Winston runs the 40-yard dash during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025.
K.J. Winston runs the 40-yard dash during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025. Abby Drey
Fellow safety Jaylen Reed joined Carter and Warren in sitting out workouts after he lit up the NFL Scouting Combine earlier in the draft process. He ran a 4.49 40-yard dash in Indianapolis and has started to climb draft boards, giving himself a chance to be drafted in the third round next month.
Wide receiver Julian Fleming didn’t have a great workout at receiver, slipping a few times in his on-field work. He ran a 4.68 40-yard dash, which would have been the second-slowest at the combine. That being said, Fleming could make an NFL career out of being a special teams standout and depth receiver.
Julian Fleming runs the 40-yard dash during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Julian Fleming runs the 40-yard dash during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025. Abby Drey
Defensive tackle Coziah Izzard may have had the best performance of the day. He ran the 40 in 4.81 seconds, while measuring in at 6-foot-3, 305 pounds and benching 225 pounds 25 times. He put himself on the radar for NFL teams as a late day three pick or a potential undrafted free agent.
Coziah Izzard runs the pro shuttle during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Coziah Izzard runs the pro shuttle during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025. Abby Drey
Cornerback Jalen Kimber ran the fastest 40 of the day, finishing it in 4.39 seconds. He’s another player who could start as a special teamer.
Jalen Kimber runs the 40-yard dash during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Jalen Kimber runs the 40-yard dash during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025. Abby Drey
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar threw passes for Fleming, and looked impressive. He’ll likely be the headliner this time next year in Holuba Hall.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar throws passes for Julian Fleming during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar throws passes for Julian Fleming during Penn State football’s pro day on Friday, March 28, 2025. Abby Drey