*** I caught up with Austin (Texas) Del Valle head coach Charles Burton, a former Syracuse linebacker who also played in NFL Europe, to get more insight on 2021 Michigan running back target Tavierre Dunlap. Before we dove into his recruitment, Burton and I talked about Dunlap as a player. Here is what he had to say: "I think the dude has an extremely high ceiling, and he's not near it. He's a big kid at 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, but he has small back skills as well. I think he's just scratching the surface of what he's capable of. We're expecting him to have a big season, and I'm excited to see what he does at the next level. I think college coaches are going to be getting a gem and are going to be super excited about what he brings to the table."
*** Burton on why Dunlap is flying under-the-radar despite having more than 30 offers: "You're not the only one that's said that. College coaches say the same thing. I think a lot of backs are being trained at an early age, and it's showing in their play. That's not a bad thing. But my question is: what's their ceiling? Back in the day, your sophomore running backs and senior running backs would look completely different. Now, they look the same because of all the training. Tavi hasn't done a ton of training. He just got into it this spring and summer. That's why I say he's just scratching the surface. Some people have questions about his lateral quickness — coming in and out of cuts. That's fine, and I understand it. But it's not because he can't. He just hasn't trained to do it. I think he's a back with NFL potential."
*** On to recruiting. Dunlap is down to Oklahoma State and Michigan. There was some buzz he could pull the trigger this week, but Dunlap doesn't have a firm timeline and still wants to have more conversations with the staffs. Here is what Burton had to say about where his recruitment stands: "I do think he's close. But he's going to talk to his mom and his dad and do some final conversations with coaches. Of course, if it comes out, and the NCAA relaxes things on visits, I know he'll want to visit places. I feel bad for these 2021 kids. I know Tavi was going on a West Coast swing and wanted to get to some schools up North. But he couldn't due to COVID-19. I hope he can get to campuses and make the best decision for himself."
*** As I mentioned earlier this week, Dunlap is a take for Michigan and a guy the Wolverines are pushing for. Michigan running backs coach Jay Harbaugh has been in constant contact with Dunlap over the last few weeks. Dunlap also had a recent virtual tour with Michigan. Here is what Burton had to say about the job Michigan has done recruiting Dunlap: "Jay Harbaugh has done a great job recruiting Tavi. He did his homework and research. He would call, and we would talk about his tape. He came and watched him do track practices. I like the way they recruited him. They didn't big dog it and say 'We're Michigan.' He's kept in contact with him and his family. I've coached three kids that have played in Michigan, and one lives in Austin right now (Troy Woolfolk), so he's been around the facility. Jim Harbaugh has a good track record. He gets flack for Ohio State, but they've been winning ball games. He's been in the pros. Michigan wouldn't be a bad fit at all."
*** Lastly, one thing that wasn't mentioned that Burton and I talked about after the interview was distance. Obviously, Oklahoma State is a whole lot closer to Austin than Michigan is. However, Dunlap is originally from Chicago and still has family in the Midwest. I don't think distance will be the make or break factor. Honestly, I'm getting good vibes in this recruitment. I haven't put in a FutureCast pick for Dunlap just yet, but I do feel like Michigan may have the edge over Oklahoma State.
*** Burton on why Dunlap is flying under-the-radar despite having more than 30 offers: "You're not the only one that's said that. College coaches say the same thing. I think a lot of backs are being trained at an early age, and it's showing in their play. That's not a bad thing. But my question is: what's their ceiling? Back in the day, your sophomore running backs and senior running backs would look completely different. Now, they look the same because of all the training. Tavi hasn't done a ton of training. He just got into it this spring and summer. That's why I say he's just scratching the surface. Some people have questions about his lateral quickness — coming in and out of cuts. That's fine, and I understand it. But it's not because he can't. He just hasn't trained to do it. I think he's a back with NFL potential."
*** On to recruiting. Dunlap is down to Oklahoma State and Michigan. There was some buzz he could pull the trigger this week, but Dunlap doesn't have a firm timeline and still wants to have more conversations with the staffs. Here is what Burton had to say about where his recruitment stands: "I do think he's close. But he's going to talk to his mom and his dad and do some final conversations with coaches. Of course, if it comes out, and the NCAA relaxes things on visits, I know he'll want to visit places. I feel bad for these 2021 kids. I know Tavi was going on a West Coast swing and wanted to get to some schools up North. But he couldn't due to COVID-19. I hope he can get to campuses and make the best decision for himself."
*** As I mentioned earlier this week, Dunlap is a take for Michigan and a guy the Wolverines are pushing for. Michigan running backs coach Jay Harbaugh has been in constant contact with Dunlap over the last few weeks. Dunlap also had a recent virtual tour with Michigan. Here is what Burton had to say about the job Michigan has done recruiting Dunlap: "Jay Harbaugh has done a great job recruiting Tavi. He did his homework and research. He would call, and we would talk about his tape. He came and watched him do track practices. I like the way they recruited him. They didn't big dog it and say 'We're Michigan.' He's kept in contact with him and his family. I've coached three kids that have played in Michigan, and one lives in Austin right now (Troy Woolfolk), so he's been around the facility. Jim Harbaugh has a good track record. He gets flack for Ohio State, but they've been winning ball games. He's been in the pros. Michigan wouldn't be a bad fit at all."
*** Lastly, one thing that wasn't mentioned that Burton and I talked about after the interview was distance. Obviously, Oklahoma State is a whole lot closer to Austin than Michigan is. However, Dunlap is originally from Chicago and still has family in the Midwest. I don't think distance will be the make or break factor. Honestly, I'm getting good vibes in this recruitment. I haven't put in a FutureCast pick for Dunlap just yet, but I do feel like Michigan may have the edge over Oklahoma State.