Should Michigan State football target Cole Cabana again?

A couple of years ago, Cole Cabana was right near the top of Michigan State football's recruiting board for running backs. He was one of the best prospects in the state of Michigan and he seemingly had a lot of interest in Michigan State.

Then when William Peagler moved on to coach elsewhere, the relationship Cabana had with Michigan State seemed to deteriorate. It didn't feel like the same interest was there on either side.

So when it came time to commit, the four-star running back from Dexter, Mich., decided to go to the other in-state program, signing with the Michigan Wolverines. It felt like a good fit with Blake Corum still there along with Donovan Edwards, giving Cabana time to learn behind them, but after redshirting and then his redshirt freshman season in 2024, he has decided to move on.

Cabana hit the transfer portal on Friday.

With Michigan State losing Nate Carter to the NFL and Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams as well, the backfield is in need of a starter. Could Cabana be that guy for Michigan State or at least add some depth to the position group that isn't a first or second-year player?

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say probably not.

Cabana didn't crack the playing rotation in two seasons and battled some injuries, totaling just six yards on two carries in 2023. He didn't play outside of that game and finished his Michigan career with those six yards. Michigan State needs to add a running back from the portal with a lot more experience and production than that.

I do think Cabana could be a really good back at the right spot, but I just don't know if he's ready to just jump into a lead role and definitely not at a major program like Michigan State.

If Jonathan Smith wanted to add two backs from the portal, I'd be more than happy to take Cabana as well, but I only see the head coach targeting one with four scholarship backs in the rotation already.