Carter is seventh member of the 2015 Penn State squad to be drafted or signed

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., May 2, 2016 – Penn State tight end Kyle Carter (Bear, Del.) has signed a National Football League undrafted free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Carter is the seventh player of the 2015 Penn State squad to be drafted or signed by NFL teams this spring.

Previously, the Tennessee Titans selected defensive tackle Austin Johnson (Galloway, N.J.) and the New York Jets picked quarterback Christian Hackenberg (Palmyra, Va.) in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Defensive endCarl Nassib (West Chester, Pa.) was the third round selection of the Cleveland Brown, while defensive linemanAnthony Zettel (West Branch, Mich.) and defensive back Jordan Lucas (New Rochelle, N.Y.) were selected in the sixth round. Cornerback Trevor Williams (Baltimore, Md.) has signed an undrafted free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers.

“It’s so great to see Kyle in a position to continue his career,” Penn State Head Coach James Franklin said. “He made some big plays for us. His hands and speed will be an asset at the next level. We are so proud of him to have graduated in just three and a half years and started work on a second degree in 2015.”

“Kyle will be an asset for the Vikings,” Penn State tight ends coach Ricky Rahne said. “He has great hands and athleticism, which will benefit him in the NFL. He has a great upside and has the potential to excel as a professional. I am very excited to see what Kyle will do in the future.”

Carter appeared in 46 games in his career with 19 starts. He earned a spot on the John Mackey Award watch list three times in his career. In 2015, he led all tight ends with 14 catches for 135 yards. His best performance of 2015 came against San Diego State when he pulled in three receptions for 47 yards, including a career-long 35-yard catch. He was selected as the Quarterback Club Award winner with Tarow Barney for the student-athlete who deserves special recognition.

In his junior season, he hauled in the game-tying touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone that set up Sam Ficken’s game-winning extra point against Boston College in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Carter accounted for 18 catches for 222 yards and one touchdown in 2013. As a freshman, Carter was a consensus first-team Freshman All-American and All-Big Ten first team selection by the media after catching 36 passes for 453 yards and two scores. He averaged a career-high 12.6 yards per reception.

Carter graduated in December 2014 with a degree in kinesiology. He was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.

There were 27 former Nittany Lions with NFL teams during the 2015 season, again placing Penn State in the top 20 nationally among schools in producing current NFL players.