Tavierre Dunlap
Welcome to Michigan, Tavierre Dunlap! 〽️ @TavierreD hails from Del Valle, Texas where he was a two-sport athlete and rushed for 100-plus yards in eight of nine games.
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— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 16, 2020
Prep
• Attended Del Valle High School (2021) coached by Charles Burton
• Two-sport athlete at Del Valle, competing in football and trackKey Statistics
• As a senior, rushed for 100-plus yards in eight of nine games
• Rushed 128 times for 1,328 yards (10.3 avg.) and scored 20 touchdowns as a junior
• Added 20 receptions for 203 yards and scored three TDs during junior campaignHonors and Rankings
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of three stars; the No. 402 overall player nationally, the No. 19 running back prospect in the country and the No. 56 recruit in the state of Texas
• Named a four-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 238 overall player in the nation, the No. 15 running back nationally and the No. 37 prospect in the state of Texas
• Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 37 running back recruiting in the country and the 90th-rated recruit in the state of Texas
• Rivals.com three-star prospect, the No. 29 running back recruit nationally and the No. 75 player in Texas
• Finalist for the state of Texas Super Team as a senior
• Received third-team All-Central Texas Football Team as junior
• Unanimous first-team all-district selection at running back during his junior year
• Earned first-team all-district honors as a sophomorePersonal
• Tavierre Dunlap was born Nov. 30, 2002
• Son of Tavio Dunlap and Shivonne Deangelo
Good size for a back with frame to play in the 220 neighborhood. Terrific north-south hole puncher with requisite long speed to hit the home run. Verified 4.63 40 as a sophomore. Adequate PR in the 100 meters at 11.23 as a sophomore. Plays as fast or faster on the field. Run finisher who uses size and top-end speed to his advantage. Dangerous if he gets loose at the second level. Good production with improved yards per carry and pass-catching as a junior. Gears down at times when changing directions. Can improve short-area lateral fluidity to maximize elusiveness. Not the type to string moves together in the open field. Power Five running back at his best getting north-south or in one-cut situations with juice to hit the long ball. Projects to the high-major level with multi-year starter potential and ceiling beyond college.
Dunlap lacks agility and quickness but has good long speed once he gets loose. Decent track times for his size.
Bigger back that can power through defenders and will continue to add weight. Built well in both his upper and lower halves. Has Hassan Haskins-like upside and will likely be in the same mold once he arrives at Michigan. Isn’t a plus pass catcher and not a playmaker in the open field. A true North-South runner that can wear down a defense. Needs to gain more explosion and continue to work on short area quickness.
One-cut runner with a blend of power, vision, and balance that makes him tough to bring down. Lack of burst and long speed could lead him to getting caught from behind at the next level.
2021 Outlook: Dunlap will be stepping into a loaded running back room with U-M’s three leading rushers returning from the 2020 season. The running back-by-committee approach has been a puzzling one under Jay Harbaugh, so Dunlap may very well get a few carries here and there. Dunlap won’t necessarily be needed, but he’s a talented back with college-ready size and it seems like everyone gets a turn at the position as long as Harbaugh is running the show.