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WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — Dillon Tatum’s recruitment is just starting to blow up.
Not only does the 2022 running back have an offer from Michigan, but just before MSU head coach Mark Dantonio retired, he got an offer from Michigan State. He has offers from Florida and Miami (FL), to go along with his 17 reported total offers.
It’s come fast and hard, and he’s relished the opportunity to be wooed by some of the top schools in the nation as of recent.
“It’s just been very busy,” Tatum said. “Making sure I’m on top of my grades and making sure I’m getting to see all these coaches coming through, too. Being happy about all the success that I’m getting, being grateful, just thanking God all the time.”
Tatum finds himself in a similar position to that of his backfield counterpart in Donovan Edwards, the 2021 prospect that’s garnering attention from every school under the sun. At this same time last year, Edwards had just a handful of offers — Michigan was his first — but after his junior season, Edwards blew up. Tatum seems to be on a similar path.
Michigan was Tatum’s sixth reported offer, according to 247Sports, but they’ve been coming after him harder than any other school. He appreciates the in-state program for that, evidenced by his wearing of a Michigan bracelet as he worked out in West Bloomfield’s gym as part of his final class of the day.
“Right there (pointing to his Michigan bracelet) – Michigan, they’ve been showing the most love so far,” Tatum said. “Florida is right behind them. Obviously Michigan State, having brought down Coach Dantonio – he’s the one that offered me here. Sad to see him step down, but he’s a great guy. All of them have been showing love, but Michigan is showing the most so far.”
Tatum was among the contingent who made the trek to Ann Arbor for junior day,’ though most of those in attendance for the Michigan – Illinois basketball game were 2021 prospects. He’s been on campus numerous times, but like his compatriots, he enjoyed his time there, even getting his picture taken in the iconic maize and blue jerseys.
“It was fun and exciting,” Tatum said. “That last shot, we were sitting right in front. Coach Harbaugh sitting right in front of me, got Donovan and Makari to my side, and we were all like, ‘Ohhh!’
“It was a great time. Got to put on the uniform. First (time trying) it on. It was sweet.”
While he grew up seeing himself as a running back, Tatum also is adept playing in the defensive backfield. He’s somewhat torn as to where he sees himself at the next level, enjoying his time on offense competing with Edwards at West Bloomfield, but also taking a penchant to being a hard hitter on defense.
It turns out, Michigan is looking at him on both sides of the ball, as well, with running backs coach Jay Harbaugh working to get him in the Wolverines offensive backfield and cornerbacks coach Mike Zordich tantalized by his prowess on defense.
“Mainly like, with the coaching staff, Coach Harbaugh – Jay Harbaugh – he sees me more as a running back,” Tatum said. “Of course, he’s a running back coach. DB coach Coach Zordich loves me at DB. So anytime I come up there, they be like, ‘Man, I could put you on either side of the ball and you’d be successful.’ So just keep doing it. Just keep working at both sides of the ball and see what it comes to.”
Regardless, Tatum is rounding into something of a leader on his team.
As he and his teammates warmed up in the gym on Friday, Tatum was among the vocal leaders, counting down stretches, holding his teammates accountable for having the proper form.
Given that he’s sharing backfield responsibilities with Edwards and is just coming out of his sophomore season at the high school level, it’s evidence of his maturity, even at a young age.
“Started all as a freshman on varsity, just getting up the totem pole,” Tatum said. “Just getting to be more of a leader. Encourage all my guys out there to be great and be successful as a great team.”
That mentality is helping him rise up in the eyes of those who are courting him for a prospective position on their college football teams. But, given Edwards’ high profile at the moment, Tatum is finding ways to step out of his shadow.
As he and his teammates ran drills in the West Bloomfield gym, it was difficult to figure out whether Tatum or Edwards was the top talent that’s garnering all the attention. Every drill saw the running back duo running side-by-side, neck and neck, trying to outwork the other.
Naturally, sharing the backfield with a player of Edwards’ caliber is helping raise Tatum’s ability. But while the competition remains fierce, it’s part of the mutual goal to see the Lakers make a run to the state championship this upcoming season.
“It’s just all fun,” Tatum said. “We just push each other, make both of us better, better all the time. Any time we go against each other, it’s always fun, but it’s always a bunch of competition.”
Tatum still has two years before he puts pen to paper, officially signing with his school of choice.
There’s a litany of factors that will go into his decision. Among them are the obvious: fit, the coaching staff, how each team intends to utilize him. But academics also plays a key part.
“Probably the relationship with my position coach,” Tatum responded when asked what’s most important to him at the college level. “That means a lot to me and how my academic career (turns) out. I want to make sure I’m having success in that. Get my degree. And also playing football at a high level at the same time.”
Tatum is not yet rated by the recruiting services, but given his growing offer list, it’s all but assured he’ll be one of the top prospects in both the state and the nation.
