Michigan Football: Breaking down Wolverines latest 2021 RB targets

Michigan football seems to be expanding its targets at running back and here is a breakdown of two new names to watch in the 2021 class.

There is zero doubt about who Michigan football‘s top choice at running back is as far as the 2021 recruiting class is concerned. That’s four-star Donovan Edwards out of West Bloomfield.

Edwards is a top-50 prospect and one of the top-ranked running backs in the country according to the 247 sports composite rankings. However, getting his commitment isn’t going to be easy and the Wolverines want to add more than one running back, so there are other options to consider.

One of those has been and will continue to be four-star Corey Kiner, who is out of Ohio. Michigan has been in the running with him and even thought to be among the leaders, yet he recently got a crystal ball for LSU and if it’s between Michigan and the Tigers, I’d give the edge to LSU.

It’s disappointing, not only because Kiner is a top-200 back according to the 247 sports composite rankings, his running style would be a nice compliment to Edwards, who is explosive and also does lots of damage as a pass catcher.

It seems like Michigan football wants a slasher type who can catch the ball and move around and then another who can just pound the rock. Kiner is more that style and that’s why a new offer by Michigan football caught my eye. That offer went out to three-star Tavierre Dunlap.

Dunlap is listed as a three-star in the 247 composite rankings, but in the 247 specific rankings, the 6-foot back from Texas is a four-star, who is also ranked as the 18th-best running back in 2021.

The one thing that stands out watching Dunlap is his burst. His highlights show lots of long touchdown runs and while he won’t break off as many of those in the Big Ten, he has a one-cut style that should be successful in Josh Gattis’ system.

Karan Higdon ran that way and he wasn’t incredibly fast. The point is being decisive and then quick enough to burst through the hole. Dunlap seems to have that ability and if Michigan football doesn’t land Kiner, he could be great option.

Dunlap has a bunch of offers including TCU, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech, which have all offered recently just like the Wolverines.

Al-Shadee Salaam is another name to watch at running back according to Steve Lorenz of The Michigan Insider ($). He’s a Rutgers commit but the three-star athlete is another decisive runner who could be an option if Michigan isn’t able to land some of its other targets at running back.