Nathan Carter, RB, Michigan State
Size:
Height: 5’10” | Weight: 200 lbs
Accomplishments:
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2023)
“Nathan Carter is a talented RB prospect with charged-up acceleration and a quick slashing run style to be a productive lead back in an outside zone scheme.”
Strengths:
Sturdy, compact NFL build
Strong downhill runner
Speed and acceleration to win the edge
Strong pass protection/three-down skill set
Concerns:
Receiving production
Vision on gap scheme runs, between the tackles
Has never assumed the workhorse RB1 role in an offense
Film Analysis:
Nathan Carter began his career at the University of Connecticut, showcasing his skill set and promise as a ball-carrier for two years before transferring to Michigan State in 2023. He offers a strong one-cut slashing style that fits heavy zone-based offenses. Carter reads outside to inside well, allowing him to cut upfield, getting north and south quickly. He is a functional pass-catcher out of the backfield and gives an offense a true three-down RB.
Carter is a good runner with strength and physicality. He runs hard and behind his pads to finish runs upon contact. Carter is a forward learner with a good leg drive to fight for extra yards and push defenders backward with a full head of steam. Carter processes information well on zone runs, quickly reading and identifying hard and soft edges. He presses outside and cuts upfield with suddenness and urgency. Carter’s burst and acceleration are charged up as he explodes through the first and second layers of the defense. Carter offers a consistent first-down maker on the ground, accounting for 41 in 2023 on 185 rush attempts.
He is a patient runner on gap, power/pin-pull plays. He follows his lead blockers into the second level of the defense. He allows blocks to spring him into the open field and uses his explosive burst to create big plays on the ground.
Carter brings functionality to the passing game out of the backfield. He catches the ball well in the flats and underneath as a routine check-down option. He will get yards after the catch and is a difficult one-on-one tackle for DBs in space. Carter is a good pass protector on third downs. He engages defenders with physicality upon contact. Carter will square up, strike, and cut-block defenders to keep the QB clean in the pocket.
Carter has never fulfilled the workhorseback role in his career. This is expected to be the first year with the opportunity. He will be game-planned against as the top weapon to slow down. How will he handle it? Carter’s vision is inconsistent working between the tackles on power concepts. He runs into the back of blockers, missing open lanes. His vision is more tailored to zone concepts. He is functional as a receiver, but Carter does not offer proven production in this area. I believe more targets and opportunities to shed more light on his overall ceiling as a pass-catcher.
In conclusion, Carter projects as a productive starting RB in a zone-based offense. With his combination of run strength, great burst, and sudden cutting ability, Carter is at his best on zone concepts. He reminds me a little of former Spartan Heisman candidate Kenneth Walker III. Carter will excel in wide zone, inside zone, duo, and a mixture of pin/pull concepts at the next level.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Maryland (2023), Iowa (2023), Michigan (2023), Ohio State (2023)
