Kyle Whittingham's first fall camp as the Michigan football head coach will open on Wednesday. However, there will be two fewer players on the roster than expected.
One of them is a name that college football fans will recognize. Taylor Tatum, formerly a highly-touted running back recruit who signed with the Oklahoma Sooners out of high school, is no longer with the Michigan football program, according to Clayton Sayfie of The Wolverine. Sayfie confirmed with the program that Tatum was no longer part of the team.
Former big-name recruit leaves Michigan football program
After playing running back for the Sooners in 2024, Tatum suffered a season-ending injury and didn't play at all in the 2025 season. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry for the Sooners in 2024. He transferred to Michigan during the offseason. That seemed like a solid addition to the running back room, before it was reported that Tatum was going to play defensive back.
After an adjustment, he looked fine at the position in the spring game, to the point that there could have been a future. Now, that future will need to be realized somewhere else. It will be interesting to see if any teams want Tatum, and if they do, if they see him as a running back.
Tatum flashed for the Sooners at running back in 2024, so who knows, that could be the best place for him in the future.
The former blue-chip running back wasn't the only confirmed departure. CJ. Charleston, who transferred to the Wolverines from Youngstown State ahead of the 2024 season, is no longer with the team either.
Charleston played in 10 games in 2024, with one reception for 22 yards. He redshirted last season, but wasn't expected to play a large role for the Wolverines this season. Neither was Tatum. There was no indication why either player left the program.
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