Michigan football is striving to create something of a force in its running backs room, similar to what we see today with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. However, the dynamic duo of lightning-and-lightning hail from different classes — 2020 and 2021.
The Wolverines are working to get a similar duo, but both in 2024.
The maize and blue already have elite running back Jordan Marshall committed, who surprised Ohio State by choosing to head north rather than remain in the Buckeye state. The rival schools are battling for 2024 Longview (Tx.) four-star Taylor Tatum, ranked the No. 33 player in the country, regardless of position, according to the 247Sports Composite.
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And both schools made the cut in Tatum’s top seven, along with Georgia, Oklahoma, USC, Texas, and Texas A&M.
BREAKING: Elite 2024 RB Taylor Tatum is down to 7️⃣ Schools!
The 5’10 205 RB from Longview, TX is ranked as the No. 2 RB in the ‘24 Class
Where Should He Go?👇🏽https://t.co/395qCF01eA pic.twitter.com/uYEvTl4n1Q
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 24, 2023
There is currently one prediction in the 247Sports Crystal Ball for Tatum, and it indicates that he will wear a winged helmet in his future. He’s also rated the No. 2 running back in the country and the sixth-best player in the state of Texas.
247Sports’ Gabe Brooks has an evaluation:
Requisite height and frame with perhaps relatively leaner stature, but good build with space to add mass. Broad-shouldered and assembled well.
Instinctive lane-finder. Plays with patience. Presses blocks to allow for holes to materialize. Also knows how to buy a couple more strides of time on perimeter runs to help blockers re-route defenders.
Quick-footed in the hole. Regularly makes something out of nothing when penetration disrupts play in the backfield. Uses an effective hesitation to set up evasive measures in space.
Plenty functionally athletic to bounce runs, but plays with good discernment for a young back and keeps plays inside as needed. Flashes high-kneed, open-field speed to hit the big play. Run-finishing ability plays above listed size.
Outstanding production in junior season. Counting stats made huge jumps with higher volume, but per carry rate also remained high. Capable pass catcher who can flex to the slot and provide a true receiving threat.
Excellent athletic profile. Three-sporter who’s also a high-level baseball standout with hitting power and outfield range. Owns encouraging 200-meter track speed despite limited reps.
Knows how to shrink his target when anticipating contact, but runs upright at times. Shows some deceleration gear-down on occasion when redirecting. Will need to add some mass to maintain high-volume functionality and develop trustworthy pass-pro effectiveness vs. P5 talent.
Through junior season of high school, looks like one of the nation’s top running backs in the 2024 recruiting cycle. Physical tools and play style should fit myriad offensive schemes. Projects to the high-major level as an eventual impact starter with a long-term developmental ceiling that could lead to the earlier rounds of the NFL Draft.
There’s still a long way to go before Tatum is likely to make a commitment, but Michigan football has done a good job of pitching him to join the increasingly loaded 2024 class.
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