4-star RB Anthony Carrie commits to Michigan State Spartans: 'It felt like home'
Michigan State and North Carolina were the final two for Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day four-star running back Anthony Carrie. The Tar Heels made a strong push for Carrie, but an official visit to East Lansing on the weekend of June 10 changed things for the Spartans.
Carrie always felt good about Michigan State and shared his intent to commit with running backs coach Effrem Reed on June 22. He made the news official on Saturday.
“It felt like home,” Carrie told On3. “I love coach (Mel Tucker). He is a super down to earth guy. He is really big on seeing young black men succeed and wanting us to succeed. I am not a number to him. He has been really involved in my recruitment since I was a freshman.
“Michigan State is my home.”
North Carolina hosted Carrie for an official last weekend, but the Spartans were able to win out for Carrie for multiple reasons. One is because of the close bond between the 5-foot-11, 195-pound tailback and Michigan State’s coaches.
“What put Michigan State over the top was how personal the staff was,” said Carrie, the No. 290 overall prospect and No. 24 running back in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. “They have a plan geared toward me. They made it personal with me and that meant a lot. Michigan State made everything geared toward me. They showed me how they would use me, their educational plan for me, how they can make my dreams come true and that is what separated them from North Carolina. They were focused on me and that meant a lot.”
Carrie feels ‘comfortable’ at Michigan State
The No. 43 player in Florida senses a “lot of love” from the Spartans’ staff. He specifically mentioned Reed and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson among numerous assistants.
Now that Carrie knows his college destination, he is focused on summer classes so he can graduate early. The four-star also wants to help Carrollwood Day win a state championship before he heads to the Great Lakes State.
Landing Carrie marked a big recruiting win for Michigan State, as he is now the highest-ranked prospect in its 2024 recruiting class. The Spartans’ group contains five other players, including Dayton (Ohio) Centerville On3 four-star safety Reggie Powers and Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Riverdale three-star cornerback Jaylen Thompson.
“From the first time I went there, it was comfortable,” said Carrie, who has visited Michigan State three times. “It felt like family from the beginning. I have always been myself and not had to do anything extra. Usually it takes a few visits to break the ice, but it was natural.”