Michigan Football: Will Wolverines RB room improve in 2022?

Tavierre Dunlap and CJ Stokes

The other two backs that will likely see the field in 2022 are Tavierre Dunlap and CJ Stokes — both of which could end up being critical components of the Wolverines’ offense this season.

Dunlap

Tavierre Dunlap came to Ann Arbor in the same class as Donovan Edwards, a class dedicated to carrying on the Michigan tradition of greatness on and off the field. Dunlap was a three-star recruit, ranked as the No. 410 player nationally and the No. 60 player in the Big Ten.

Dunlap received offers from many big-name programs outside of Michigan, such as Michigan State, Washington, USC, UCLA, and others.

Dunlap brings decent speed, but more notably, he brings something the Wolverines desperately need: power. Dunlap has a 6’0, 222lb frame and was described by 247Sports as a “run finisher who uses size and top-end speed. Dangerous if he gets loose at the second level.” Though Dunlap may not be the starter this season, he will still find an essential role as the season begins.

CJ Stokes

Stokes will be entering his first season with the Wolverines in 2021 and may find himself redshirted due to the large quantity of more experienced players ahead of him on the depth chart. Still, Stokes can play in four games while maintaining his redshirt status and is one of the more notable freshmen to watch this coming season.

Out of high school Stokes was rated as a three-star recruit and was recruited by one of the greatest backs in Michigan football history and current running backs coach, Mike Hart. A part of the 2022 recruiting class out of South Carolina, Stokes comes into this season with a similar size and build as Tavierre Dunlap and could also bring a similar impact on the field.

Dunlap is a player to watch during the Wolverines’ spring game this April and both could become vital players in the coming season and beyond, although Stokes won’t be joining the program until the summer.