Michigan State Football: Maliq Carr could be matchup nightmare for defenses

If you’re anything like me, you’re excited to see what the Michigan State football transfers can do this season as they prepare for their first season under Mel Tucker.

There are some impressive transfers making their way to East Lansing such as Quavaris Crouch, Ronald Williams Jr., Anthony Russo, Kenneth Walker III, and plenty more, but one guy who has caught my attention because there just hasn’t been a ton of talk about him despite him having a ton of talent is Maliq Carr.

The former four-star recruit in the 2020 class committed to Purdue after attending Oak Park (Mich.) High and it was a big loss for both major programs in Michigan. He hit the portal this offseason and decided to head back home and play for Michigan State — potentially as a two-sport athlete.

Carr was considered a wide receiver at Purdue, but it was uncertain what position he’d play at Michigan State until he was pictured with the tight ends at an off-field bonding event. He had the size and the athleticism to cause some problems at the position and Jay Johnson said before the 2020 season that he wanted to utilize tight ends more. Carr could be ‘the guy’ eventually.

But all has been quiet this fall about Carr.

Tucker speaking highly of Carr at tight end

Stephen Brooks of 247Sports got to ask Tucker what he liked from the new guys in the tight end room like Connor Heyward and Carr and he had good things to say about both.

He also spoke on the fact that Carr has the size and the explosiveness which could give him a matchup advantage against opposing linebackers as a tight end.

Tucker said that Carr has the receiver skills and he’s a willing blocker so that’s going to help him in both facets of the position, but he’s still relatively new at the position. He didn’t mention Tyler Hunt or Trenton Gillison but I would assume Carr has a way to go in order to pass those guys on the depth chart.

Assuming Michigan State runs a couple of two-tight end sets this season, Carr should see the field plenty and cause some mismatches for defenses.

I’m excited to see what he brings to the table because I think he’s talented enough to have an immediate impact and get this offense trending back in the right direction.