A Position Battle To Watch Heading Into Michigan’s Spring Practices

Sunday is the final day of Michigan’s “offseason,” as spring practice starts on Monday. The Wolverines are coming off of a massive 13-1 Big Ten title run a season ago, and this year, fans could be looking at a Michigan football National Championship for the first time in 26 years. There’s a seemingly unimportant position battle that fans should keep an eye on heading into Michigan’s spring practices.

Michigan’s Spring Practices Will Determine RB3

I will admit, a 3rd-string running back battle may not seem like much to talk about heading into a season full of massive expectations, though I am still fixated on who will become the Michigan Wolverines’ RB3. We already know the order of the top-two backs on Michigan’s roster — Blake Corum will be RB1, and Donovan Edwards will be RB2 just as we saw a season ago.

RB3 will likely come down to rising sophomore back C.J. Stokes, and four-star true freshman Cole Cabana. Both bring separate skillsets to the table for Michigan football, and seeing as Edwards and Corum will both be NFL Draft eligible after this season, this could be the Michigan Wolverines’ next great running back duo.

C.J. Stokes, Cole Cabana Are The Future Of The Wolverines’ Offense

A season ago, Michigan fans saw a freshman C.J. Stokes help the Wolverines in a few key situations with Corum and Edwards went down with injury. In 2022, Stokes ran the football 55 times for 273 yards and one touchdown — he also caught one pass for 15 yards. Stokes did not turn heads nationally, though he did prove to be a serviceable back, and heading into 2023, could end up with a larger role because of it.

Stokes’ counterpart during Michigan’s spring practices will be true freshman Cole Cabana, who headlined Jim Harbaugh’s most recent recruiting class. Cabana is a four-star composite prospect from Dexter High School in Dexter, Michigan. Cabana comes in as a 6-0, 180lbs back with huge aspirations of becoming the next great Wolverine to carry the rock.

It may not be on many national radars, but the future of Michigan football is battling it out for the RB3 spot on the Wolverines’ 2023 offense, and is something to keep an eye on for fans throughout Michigan’s spring practices.

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