Trieu: Michigan State to host Ohio defensive lineman Carter Napier

Michigan State will host Springboro (Ohio) defensive lineman Carter Napier for an official visit in June.

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald extended the offer earlier in April. Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III and other members of the staff have stayed in contact. Offensive line coach Nick Tabacca also recently swung through the school.

Napier (6-3, 265 pounds) has become one of the more sought-after defensive linemen in the region. His 53 tackles (five for loss) and four sacks earned him first-team all-conference honors last season and drew the attention of schools. Iowa, West Virginia, Iowa State and Pittsburgh are some of the other top schools in this race.

“He will be a three-year starter for us,” Spingboro defensive coordinator Jake Dwyer. “When you meet him, he’s a physically imposing kid. What sets him apart is his pure athleticism for his size. He runs really, really well. He runs vertically well, horizontally well, has great get-off and violent, violent hands. He’s violent in his get-off. Then you meet him and he’s the most lovable kid.”

Beyond those physical gifts, Napier has also taken his offseason training seriously. That was the catalyst for his improvement between sophomore and junior year.

“He’s always been a big kid, but even if you see him now as a senior, he has youth to his face. He has a really, really high motor and really high work ethic for a 15-year-old kid,” Dwyer said. “That was the tipping point because, physically, we knew he could do it as a sophomore, but pair it with the work ethic and it went overboard for us. Then he doubled down every year and has continued to grow and be a joy to coach.”

The plan is for Napier to take his officials, then come to a college decision.

His recruitment went from no Power Four offers as February was ending to having several in the span of two months. It was a busy spring of unofficial visits and now coaches coming to his home and school.

“I think he has handled it with grace and poise,” Dwyer said. “If you were to see him on a day-to-day basis, you wouldn’t notice any difference. He’s handled it well. He’s just focused on Carter, too, and what he needs to do to get ready for his senior year. He’s enjoying the process.”

Rivals has Napier rated a three-star and ranked the No. 35 senior-to-be in Ohio.

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