Michigan Football: Wolverines could add RB commitment this week

Michigan football is in the top two for 2021 running back Tavierre Dunlap, who could be making a decision this week. Plus, a little more on Drew Kendall.

This could be a big week for Michigan football recruiting, especially in regards to the 2021 class as a pair of top targets could be making their decisions this week.

The first is pretty well known and that’s four-star offensive guard Drew Kendall. Over the weekend, it was reported he could decide any day this week.

It’s hard to take Kendall at his word (more on this later) because his timeline has changed so much, but another 2021 recruit could be deciding this week too and that’s running back Tavierre Dunlap.

Michigan has continued to recruit Dunlap, along with its pursuit of Donovan Edwards and now, according to Steve Lorenz of the Michigan Insider ($), the Wolverines are indeed a top-two finalist for Dunlap, who could decide between them and Oklahoma State this week.

Here’s what Dunlap’s head coach told Lorenz about the Wolverines chances:

"“I know Coach (Jay) Harbaugh has built a really good relationship with him. I think he’s talked to some current players up there and he enjoys that conversation as well. He likes their storied history as well.”"

While Michigan football was expecting USC and Utah to be in the mix at the end, both of those schools are out and it’s down to Michigan and the Pokes. Obviously, Oklahoma State is closer, but Michigan is a bigger brand. Plus, the Wolverines have a need for running back depth. Stay tuned.

Latest on Drew Kendall

EJ Holland of Rivals weighed on in Drew Kendall and according to what he’s heard ($), don’t be shocked if Kendall doesn’t end up deciding this week. Here’s part of what he wrote:

"“Based on all the info I gathered today, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kendall once again pushed his decision back. At this time, he remains unsure and has not made any decision, according to several sources. I don’t think this is a Rocco Spindler situation, though. I really believe that Drew is a good kid and doesn’t know.”"

There is a lot at play here with Kendall. But most Michigan football fans believed he was going to commit after Rocco Spindler went to Notre Dame and it still hasn’t happened.

Through it all, Boston College has been the other consistent school. I don’t buy that Stanford is a realistic possibility. BC’s negative recruiting has clearly worked because Kendall is still worried about his fit in the program, as far as depth and in the Big Ten, which is weird to me.

Michigan has recruited this kid really hard, so they obviously believe he can be a really good player in the Big Ten. Is Boston College telling Kendall he won’t? Here’s more from Holland ($):

"“Concerns are depth chart and the ability to add enough weight to excel in the Big Ten. Michigan is recruiting him for a reason and has talked to him at length about the S&C program. Now, it’s up to Kendall.”"

So Kendall is really worried about not being able to gain enough weight to play in the Big Ten? So that makes Boston College a better choice? I don’t understand how that logic makes sense.

But even after Spindler committed to Notre Dame, Kendall was asking Michigan coaches about added eligibility for other linemen too, so he’s clearly worried he won’t see the field.

Do you even want someone like that on your team? I want someone with the confidence who knows they are going to come in and earn a spot, not someone who wants something guaranteed.

Kendall is just giving off some really weird vibes in this recruitment and it’s just strange to me that’s he’s sort of bought into this idea that he’s not good enough to excel at Michigan, despite what Michigan coaches are telling him.

This is making my head hurt.