Running back Nate Carter ready for ‘new chapter,’ will enter NFL Draft

Michigan State’s Nate Carter (5) advances past Maryland’s Kevyn Humes during a game, Sept. 7, in College Park, Md. STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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By Tony Paul

The Detroit News

Nate Carter chose to participate in Michigan State’s Senior Day festivities, despite having a year of eligibility left.

Now we know why.

Carter, an impact running back the last two seasons for the Spartans, announced on social media Friday that he is declaring for the NFL Draft. He thanked his two colleges, Connecticut and Michigan State.

“To MSU: It was truly an honor to wear Green and White,” Carter wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Thank you for welcoming me into your family with open arms. Running out in front of tens of thousands of fans in Spartan Stadium will forever be one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. I hope and pray that my time as a Spartan was both impactful and memorable — on and off the field. I wanted to be more than a football player here, and I hope I left an impression that reflects that.

“My time at both UConn and MSU has been nothing short of transformative. From the field to the classroom, and in every space in between, I’ve grown as a player, a student, and most importantly, as a man. I’ve been blessed with incredible coaches, teammates who’ve become like family, and mentors who’ve shaped my journey.

“The lessons I’ve learned and the relationships I’ve built are ones I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Carter, a 5-foot-10, 202-pound running back from Rochester, New York, rushed for nine touchdowns as a Spartan, including five this season. This season, he rushed for 499 yards on 116 carries, with a long of 60 yards, and also had two receiving TDs. He was one bright spot for a running game that had its struggles in 2024. In his first season at Michigan State, in 2023, Carter rushed for 798 yards and four touchdowns.

In two seasons with Connecticut, Carter rushed for 982 yards and three touchdowns.

Earlier this week, Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith acknowledged that Carter has “got a lot to weigh there” in regard to his decision about his future.

On X on Friday, Carter wrote, “This is only the beginning of a new chapter, and I’m ready to step out in faith for whatever God has in store. The best is yet to come!”