Mel Tucker was able to snag one elite running back from the transfer portal and he might be trying to replicate that success. This time, it appears a former Wisconsin ball carrier might have some interest in East Lansing.

Friday night, former Wisconsin running back Jalen Berger posted a picture to a social media account from Michigan State’s basketball game against Western Michigan. Rivals.com shared the post on Twitter.

Berger started the season with the Badgers but was dismissed from the program in October. Shortly after being removed from the roster, the sophomore running back entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

Berger played in 7 games for the Badgers and rushed for 389 yards and 3 touchdowns over his season-and-a-half in Madison. He was expected to work with Chez Mellusi to form Wisconsin’s 1-2 punch in the backfield.

As Braelon Allen emerged as a strong running back, Berger saw his playing time diminish in the 2021 season. He toted the rock just 24 times for 88 yards and a score this fall.

Tucker had one of the successful offseasons in the transfer portal this past year, particularly because of landing Kenneth Walker III out of Wake Forest. Walker has rushed for 1,330 yards and 15 touchdowns and is a big reason why the Spartans sit 8-1 and control their own destiny in the B1G East.

Could Berger be the next big name to join the Spartans?

As a high school prospect, Berger was a 4-star recruit who ranked as one of the Top 150 overall talents in the class. He was listed as the No. 15 running back for his 2020 class.