Michigan Football: Georgia enters mix for in-state target Dillon Tatum

Dillon Tatum is one of Michigan football’s top priorities in the 2022 recruiting class and he just got offered by Georgia.

As far as the 2022 recruiting class is concerned, there are few targets for Michigan football who are a higher priority than Dillon Tatum, one of the top players in the state of Michigan.

Tatum may not be ranked as highly as defensive back Will Johnson, the top recruit in the state of Michigan, but Tatum, who like Donovan Edwards, is out of West Bloomfield, is a top priority. And the Wolverines have been on him, offering very early and recruiting him on both sides of the ball.

According to the 247 sports composite rankings, Tatum who is listed at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, is ranked as the No. 243 overall prospect, as well as the 25 running back. He’s the fifth-ranked player in the state of Michigan and also has a UM Futurecast from EJ Holland.

While Michigan was probably more focused on Tatum as a running back in the beginning, he’s now fully being pursued on both sides of the ball, with the Wolverines giving him the option of where he wants to play.

A new offer for Michigan football to contend with

That’s probably smart because landing Tatum may have gotten tougher on Tuesday, as Georgia extended an offer to the 2022 recruit.

While Georgia has fallen out of the mix a little bit with Edwards, a teammate and fellow running back with Tatum at West Bloomfield, the Bulldogs were considered the frontrunner at one point, so there is a connection there to build on for Georgia.

Georgia also has a strong reputation for turning out running backs. Just look at all the guys they have sent to the NFL Draft in recent years. Tatum posted a picture of a running back announcing the offer, so I am assuming that’s where Georgia wants him.

Tatum also posted a picture of himself in Ohio State gear with a caption of Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State was one of the schools that contacted Tatum on Sept. 1.

Michigan State is another school that’s been pushing hard for Tatum, but Michigan has been considered the early favorite. We will see if an offer from Georgia will change things, although visits would likely be required, but as a 2022 recruit, there should be time for that.

From a Michigan perspective, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Tatum was always going to be a national recruit and the Wolverines were always going to have to hold off some powerhouse programs for his services.

Certainly, landing Edwards would help and on both fronts, it’s game on.