Michigan State redshirt junior tight end Maliq Carr figures to become one of the main pass-catchers in the Spartans' offense this season as he currently sits as the No. 1 tight end on the roster.

Carr has gradually improved his all-around game in becoming a complete tight end since he arrived in East Lansing three seasons ago after transferring from Purdue, but that process has been far from an easy one.

The Inkster, Michigan native graduated from Oak Park High School as a playmaker in the passing game, and began his college career as a wide receiver for the Boilermakers. As a tight end at MSU, he has had to improve his run blocking and other aspects of his game throughout his college career in order to become a complete player.

In addition, he and his position coach Ted Gilmore have butted heads on numerous occasions throughout Carr's time as a Spartan. Gilmore has made Carr earn his playing time by pushing him to improve parts of his game that would allow him to become a complete player, and Gilmore told the media earlier in the week he believes Carr has become just that.

In that same media session, Gilmore spoke to how the two have come to understand each other better over the past few years and how Carr is now taking on a leadership role with the team.

Carr then met with the media after Gilmore had talked about their relationship and how it has grown, with Carr confirming that things were difficult between the two in his early days as a Spartan.

"Back in the day, it was back-and-forth almost every other week," Carr said about Gilmore. "Now, we have a better understanding of each other and where we're coming from."

Carr explained how the two weren't clicking early on in part due to not connecting outside of football and having an overall trust in each other. Over time, Carr said that has developed, which has led the two to being in a much better place with each other as things stand today.