Michigan State football lost its first player to the NFL draft this offseason

After spending the past two seasons with Michigan State football, Nate Carter has decided to move on. The former UConn transfer announced on Friday afternoon that he would be entering the NFL draft and forgoing his final year of eligibility.

While Carter never quite lived up to expectations in East Lansing, I have a hard time blaming him as he was constantly running behind a struggling offensive line. The past two seasons have been some of the worst in recent memory in terms of offensive line play and he totaled 1,297 yards and nine touchdowns on 4.3 yards per carry.

No, Carter's numbers aren't bad, by any means, but he had the capability to be the first 1,000-yard rusher since Kenneth Walker III in East Lansing but the line let him down.

Carter was one of the ideal Spartans that a staff has to love because he stayed the course despite the coaching change. He committed to the school and the program and not the coach.

After four total years of college ball (his first two years were at UConn), Carter had 2,280 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. That's a successful college career for a lot of backs and I wouldn't be surprised to see him catch on in the NFL and it all starts with the draft process. He will likely test really well so don't be shocked to see him rise up running back draft boards this spring.

Where does Michigan State turn now that Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams and Carter are both gone? Well, Brandon Tullis and Makhi Frazier both just wrapped up their freshman seasons and Michigan State is also bringing in Jace Clarizio and Zion Gist in the 2025 class.

Don't be surprised to see Jonathan Smith add a rusher in the portal.