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Michigan State football: 5 reasons to be optimistic about the 2023 season

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 5, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker reacts during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker reacts during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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LOGAN, UT- AUGUST 27: Nathan Carter #26 of the Connecticut Huskies stiff arms Gurvan Hall Jr., #6 of the Utah State Aggies during the first half of their game on August 27, 2022 at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
LOGAN, UT- AUGUST 27: Nathan Carter #26 of the Connecticut Huskies stiff arms Gurvan Hall Jr., #6 of the Utah State Aggies during the first half of their game on August 27, 2022 at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

3. Nathan Carter

Am I driving the Nathan Carter bandwagon? If you’ve followed anything I’ve been saying this offseason, you’d know the answer to that is a resounding yes.

Michigan State’s newest running back transfer has what it takes to become the next star in the backfield and while I’m not ready to crown him Kenneth Walker IV, I do believe that he can be nearly as impactful as the 2021 Doak Walker Award winner. No, he’s not Walker, but he’s a talented back with some burst, acceleration, vision, and strength that will make him a nightmare for opposing defenses in 2023.

The coaching staff has already been raving about him during fall camp and he’s been breaking off big runs during the scrimmages and in practice, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see him named the starter when the Spartans take the field against Central Michigan in Week 1.

If the offensive line improves like I believe it will, I’m positive that Carter will be a 1,000-yard rusher. He averaged over 100 yards per game before an injury in 2022 at UConn. Just imagine what he can do at Michigan State with an even better line.

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