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Michigan Football: 3-star RB Tavierre Dunlap trending to Wolverines

By Chris Peterson

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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It’s been called a two-horse race between Michigan football and Oklahoma State for Tavierre Dunlap but the 4-star back is trending to the Wolverines.

It looks like Michigan football will be adding at least one running back as a commitment soon but the first to commit, might not be who you think.

Donovan Edwards, the No. 2 running back in the 2021 class, according to 247 sports, is still weighing a decision, but so is another Michigan target and that’s Tavierre Dunlap.

There has been lots of talk about the Wolverines and Dunlap. Michigan has been considered a finalist along with Oklahoma State. Yet, from the looks of things, U-M will come away victorious.

That’s because crystal ball projections have started to trend in the direction of the Wolverines for Dunlap, a three-star running back in the 247 composite rankings.

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Dunlap is ranked as the 374th overall player in the 2021 class and he’s the No. 22 running back. 247 sports does rank him as a four-star recruit in its own rankings, as well as the No. 12 back.

Dunlap is 6-foot-1 and averaged over10 yards per rush attempt last season playing 5A football in Texas. He’s a decisive, physical runner and for months, I’ve said he be a great fit alongside Edwards.

Well, on Friday, Steve Wiltfong of 247 sports and Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider each put in crystal ball picks for Dunlap to U-M and both did so with a confidence level of 8 out of 10.

There has been talk that Dunlap could decide soon and since the crystal balls are coming in, my guess that he would be the Wolverines next verbal commit in 2021.

And I don’t think it will impact Edwards. Dunlap may want to commit before Edwards does just to ensure he has a spot, but I doubt Michigan pushed here if they didn’t think Edwards would be ok with it. He’s too important to risk this point and U-M is the leader there too.

While Dunlap is rated as just a three-star prospect in the 247 composite rankings, he’s a huge sleeper. I think he easily deserves to be a top-200 recruit and the 247 specific rankings have him at No. 222 which is more accurate.

He’s an explosive, one-cut runner and that will be ideal for what Michigan is doing under Josh Gattis. EJ Holland of Rivals ($), who hasn’t placed a Futurecast pick yet, tracked down Dunlap’s coach last week and what he said that will get you excited:

"“I think the dude (Tavierre) has an extremely high ceiling, and he’s not near it. He’s a big kid at 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, but he has small back skills as well. I think he’s just scratching the surface of what he’s capable of. We’re expecting him to have a big season, and I’m excited to see what he does at the next level. I think college coaches are going to be getting a gem and are going to be super excited about what he brings to the table.”"

By small-back skills, I believe he’s talking about Dunlap as a receiver and he’s actually really underrated in that area. Not only did he average 10.4 yards per attempt and rack up 1,341 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground, but he also caught 20 passes for 208 yards and three TDs too.

For whatever reason, Dunlap has gone under the radar. Texas didn’t offer him a scholarship but he did wind up with 34 total offers.

If he does wind up at Michigan, that will be a nice get. He’s been one of my favorite targets for months now and while it didn’t seem like there would be the room a month ago, but the shift in O-line recruiting probably opened the door.

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And in the end, if Michigan gets Dunlap, it will be getting a top-notch back to potentially pair with Edwards.

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