Novara Makes A Connection With Michigan State

Cole Novara OF / RHP / Dexter High School, MI / 2026

DEXTER - Cole Novara is confident he can make an impact at Michigan State after a commitment to the Big 10 university.

“I’ll bring a lot of electricity,” the top-rated 2026 outfielder in Michigan proclaimed. “I’ll bring an emphasis to the team, with speed, power and whatever they need me to do. I’ll give 100 percent to make sure I can help bring success to the team.”

A connection with Michigan State has been ongoing for the Dexter High School junior.

“I went to a few camps when I was 13-14 and built a relationship with the staff,” Novara reflected. “Then they saw me at the Future Games which was a huge help.”

The 16-year-old has no doubts the college in East Lansing is the perfect fit.

“I knew it was the place for me,” explained Novara. “It’s so close to home, I love the staff and it’s a place I could see myself playing. I grew up a Michigan fan, but felt Michigan State was right for me.”

A GameDay visit brought Novara to the MSU campus.

“At that point in time they were still trying to figure out what to do with the 2026 class,” Novara noted. “A few weeks after I went on another visit. I toured the campus and saw practice. I got on a call with them a few days later and received an offer. I accepted a week later.

“I just knew Michigan State was for me,” Novara continued. “It’s the Big 10 and they have a great academic life. It’s close to home so my parents can come to games and I’ll be around a great group of guys.”

MSU coaches see the 10th-ranked junior in the state a major plus for the program.

“They really like my ability to get on base and really like my speed as an outfielder,” Novara said. “They really like my game style.”

Coaches with other programs felt the same way, with offers presented from schools in both the Big 10 and Mid-American Conference.

“It was a little busy, with eight or nine calls,” Novara reflected back to Aug. 1, the initial day that college coaches could make contact with players in the 2026 class. “I think I handled it fine. It was a lot of fun with coaches starting to reach out. It was fun knowing schools were interested in me and wanted me. It was one of the best days of my life. It’s what I always wanted to do.”

Yes, playing beyond high school has been on the radar for some time.

“I’ve wanted to play college baseball forever,” Novara said. “The dream was always D-I. It became realistic this past summer when I turned it around with the bat and got more athletic. I started to hit the ball harder and farther.

“Last offseason I worked with coach Chris Harrison with my bat and that turned it around for me. I’m more into getting my body right now for baseball.”

Admittedly, the recruiting process was not easy.

“It was pretty stressful,” Novara related. “I was excited to have calls knowing schools were out there for me, but I wasn’t totally sure. Prep Baseball did a great job helping me out, inviting me to showcases where coaches were at. That’s what got me out there.”

Randy Young at Legacy, where Novara trains, is also credited with benefitting the cause for the  5-8 156-pounder.

“He was huge for me, helping build me up to become a great baseball player,” Novara explained. “My parents were always by my side supporting me and that’s also been very important. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

A lifelong Michigan fan, Novara is now on board with being part of the green-and-white culture at MSU.

“This is super exciting,” Novara said. “It’s exciting to know I’m off the board and going somewhere I want to be.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the people on the team and the coaching staff more,” concluded Novara, a 3.9 student unsure of a major at the university located just an hour from home. “I look forward to having great people around me, building relationships and being a great student-athlete at Michigan State.”