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Michigan State football: 3 breakout candidates on offense for 2023

By Connor Muldowney

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Maliq Carr #6 of the Michigan State Spartans is seen before the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Maliq Carr #6 of the Michigan State Spartans is seen before the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Oct 16, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies running back Nathan Carter (26) runs with the ball against the Yale Bulldogs during the first half at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies running back Nathan Carter (26) runs with the ball against the Yale Bulldogs during the first half at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Ever since Nathan Carter transferred in from UConn, I’ve been driving the hype train. Watching his highlights, he brings an explosiveness that was lacking in the backfield last season and just has the elusiveness and vision that you want to see from a starting running back.

Will he start over Jalen Berger? I’m not so sure, but he’s at least going to split carries.

Better yet, Carter is just a redshirt sophomore, so he’ll have two more years of eligibility after this season if he wants to utilize that. If he does, he could put up some serious numbers in the green and white and I think he’s capable of special things.

In his freshman season in 2021, Carter led UConn with 578 yards and two touchdowns and caught 19 passes for 127 yards. He only built on that in four games to start the 2022 season with 405 yards on 65 carries, meaning he averaged 6.2 yards per touch. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury and entered the portal after the year.

It just feels like he’s barely scratched the surface and the first four games of the 2022 season are an indication that he’s ready for a breakout. He’ll have the opportunity in 2023.

Next. Which FBS teams has MSU football never played?. dark

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