Glenn Carson fended off all challengers and grabbed ahold of the middle linebacker starting assignment prior to the 2011 campaign and kept a firm hold on the position during a strong sophomore season. With the return of Carson and senior starters Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti, "Linebacker U." again will field one of the nation's premier units. The challengers, though, always are present and pushing among Penn State's talented and deep linebacker corps. A prototypical middle linebacker, hard-nosed and instinctive, Carson was fourth on the squad last year with 74 tackles, forced two fumbles and had a fumble recovery. The highly-skilled, tough and physical player started 12 games last year. The former Southern Regional High School all-state selection was a 2011 Academic All-Big Ten honoree. Carson owned a 3.29 cumulative grade-point average entering the summer and is a potential Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America® candidate. He was among eight Nittany Lions who enrolled in the University in January 2010. Carson is one of seven returning Nittany Lions from New Jersey.
2011 Sophomore Season
Carson grabbed ahold of the starting assignment at middle linebacker and made 12 starts, playing in every game. He was fourth on the squad with 74 total tackles, forced two fumbles and made one fumble recovery. In his second start, he delivered a career-high 11 tackles against No. 2 Alabama, nearly doubling his previous high of six against Indiana in 2010. Carson forced his first career fumble in the big matchup at Ohio State and made his first career fumble recovery and five tackles against Eastern Michigan. He recorded seven tackles at Indiana and six in the game against Iowa. Carson made seven stops against Purdue and five in the Leaders Division matchup against Illinois, including one tackle for loss. Carson recorded eight tackles against Nebraska and led the team and tied his career-high with 11 stops in the critical division battle at Ohio State. In the regular-season finale at Wisconsin, Carson posted eight tackles and a forced fumble. He was on the field for 617 snaps, with highs of 75 against Nebraska and 72 at Wisconsin. Carson earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the first time.
2010 Freshman Season
Carson enrolled as a full-time student in January 2010. He was shifted from linebacker to fullback just prior to preseason practice. He returned to linebacker after the Kent State game and was one of seven true freshmen to play, seeing action in every game. Carson made 12 tackles, with 0.5 tackles for loss. He recorded a season-high five hits against Illinois and made one stop at Minnesota, including 0.5 TFL. He also had one tackle at Ohio State and one hit against Michigan State. Carson made three solo stops against Florida in the Outback Bowl. He was on the field for 152 snaps, led by 24 at Iowa and 22 in the Outback Bowl.
High School
A linebacker at Southern Regional HS, Carson helped the team to its first South Jersey Group IV title game. During his senior season under Coach Charles Donohue Sr., Carson was selected first-team all-state, Ocean County Player-of-the-Year, first-team All-South Jersey and first-team all-league. The four-star prospect tallied 98 tackles and broke the school record for career tackles. Also an outstanding wrestler, Carson was a three-time state finalist on the mat.
Personal
Full name is Glenn Andrew Carson Jr. He is the son of Glenn and Barbara-Ann Carson. He has one older sister, Christine. Carson is a relative of Tom Higgins, who played football for North Carolina and the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1950s. Carson enjoys spending time at the beach and fishing. He is majoring in advertising/public relations. Born December 5, 1990 in Manahawkin, N.J.
