Three-star defensive end Chase “Simba” Carter commits to Michigan State’s 2022 class

“Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaants ingonyama bagithi baba.”

That’s right, Spartan gang, the king of the pride has arrived.

Chase “Simba” Carter, out of Minneapolis in the 2022 class, pledged his commitment to Michigan State on Tuesday, picking MSU over Iowa.

The three-star defensive end prospect gives the Spartans their first commit of the class on the defensive line. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, there’s no doubt this is a (literal) big piece to Mel Tucker’s second recruiting class.

Per the 247Sports Composite, Carter comes in as the No. 943-ranked overall prospect in his class, also checking in as the No. 129-ranked defensive line prospect and No. 6-ranked prospect in Minnesota.

In addition to Michigan State and Iowa, Carter had additional scholarship offers from Iowa State, Nebraska and Central Michigan.

Carter is also a strong dual-sport athlete, as he plays on Minnehaha Academy’s star-studded basketball team as well. In a conversation with YouTube host Tony Liebert, Carter pointed out a Spartan great when asked who his favorite athlete in either sport is.

“One of my favorite players is Draymond Green,” Carter said. “People consider him undersized, and I’m about the same size...I like the way he views the court and I feel like that’s a similarity in my game.”

Michigan State’s 2022 class is starting to really come together, now sitting at 15 commits.