New Michigan Man: RB Tavierre Dunlap Commits to Michigan

Jay Harbaugh continues to do impressive work on the recruiting trail and has landed himself another top target and talented tailback as 2021 Del Valle (TX) RB Tavierre Dunlap has committed to Michigan.

Commitment

Scouting Report

A unanimous first-team selection in Texas District 25-6A as a junior, Dunlap is a guy that you can give the rock to 25+ times a game and expect 100+ yards and a TD or two. He’s an up-right track runner with a football body, a high effort guy with good speed that gives him true home run hitting ability. More of a one cut and go, north-south runner that isn’t afraid of contact. With the depth being built at the position, he should be a multi-year contributor to the offense with a ceiling that could see him become a bell cow back for the Wolverines.

Recruitment

A top target for Jay Harbaugh and the staff for some time now, Dunlap has been a familiar but not too highlighted recruit. He was seen as a “backup plan” of sorts to top overall running back target Donovan Edwards, a player that would be in if he committed before Edwards but a questionable take if afterwards. But that all looked to go out the window as the summer went on and staff pushed hard for his commitment.

There were reports of USC and Utah being Michigan’s top contenders for his services but as his decision date approached it was Oklahoma State that made a strong push. But it wasn’t enough to beat out the Michigan pitch to the talented tailback.

According to TMI’s Steve Lorenz, Dunlap committed to the coaching staff last weekend ($) before making it publicly known in mid-September.

Dunlap is the first Michigan commit out of Texas since 2018 when the staff signed TE Mustapha Muhammad (transferred), S German Green and CB Gemon Green.

  • Height: 6’0”
  • Weight: 200lbs
  • Hometown (School): Del Valle, TX (Del Valle)
  • Notable Offers: Oklahoma State, USC, Utah, Notre Dame, Washington
  • Rankings: Rivals (3*, #27 RB) – 247Sports (4*, #220 overall) – ESPN (3*, #37 RB)
  • Composite Ranking: Three-star, #374 Overall, #22 RB, #56 in Texas

Highlights

As for the Rest for the Class

Dunlap is the 21st overall commitment, the first running back, and the first commit out of Texas in this 2021 class. The class is starting to run out of available spots with RB Donovan Edwards, DT Rayshaun Benny, CB Ceyair Wright and DL George Rooks as the main names to keep an eye on.

Photo Credit: Kyle Boone/PistolsFiringBlog.com

Garrett Fishaw