Taylor Tatum’s arrival in Ann Arbor was already one of the more intriguing offseason storylines for Michigan football. Now, it’s taken an unexpected twist.
The former No. 1 running back in the 2024 recruiting class, who transferred in from Oklahoma, is officially starting his Michigan career-not in the backfield-but in the defensive secondary. That’s right: Tatum, the highly-touted ball carrier, is moving to safety.
It’s a surprising development, no question. Tatum was expected to compete for reps in a Wolverines running back room that’s seen some turnover and could’ve used a spark. But as of now, he’ll begin his Michigan chapter on the other side of the ball.
From Five-Star Running Back to Defensive Backfield
Let’s rewind for a moment. Tatum came out of high school as the top-ranked running back in the 2024 class, bringing with him the kind of hype that tends to follow elite recruits.
He committed to Oklahoma, where he saw action as a true freshman, logging 56 carries for 278 yards and three touchdowns. That’s a solid debut, especially in a crowded Sooners backfield.
But 2025 was a different story. Tatum managed just one carry before a hamstring injury ended his season prematurely. After entering the transfer portal, he landed at Michigan-a move that turned heads, considering the Wolverines already had a promising young back in Jordan Marshall, who was ranked just behind Tatum coming out of high school.
Yet even with that background, few saw this position switch coming.
A Familiar Blueprint in Ann Arbor
Michigan fans have seen this play out before. Mike Sainristil, a former wide receiver, made the jump to defense ahead of the 2022 season and became a cornerstone of the Wolverines’ national championship defense. He parlayed that transition into a second-round NFL Draft selection.
Now, Tatum is hoping to follow a similar path-though the circumstances are a bit different. Unlike Sainristil, Tatum never played safety in high school, according to recruiting profiles.
But what he does bring is elite athleticism. He was a three-sport athlete in high school and even played baseball at Oklahoma.
He’s expected to suit up for Michigan’s baseball team as well, which speaks volumes about his versatility.
Why the Move Makes Sense (Even If It’s Unusual)
On paper, Michigan doesn’t have a glaring need at safety. The Wolverines return a strong group, including Chris Bracy-who started at Memphis last season-along with Jordan Young, Rod Moore, and Mason Curtis. Moore missed most of last season due to injury but is a proven playmaker when healthy.
Meanwhile, the running back room is deeper than it may appear. Jordan Marshall is expected to lead the way, with Savion Hiter and Bryson Kuzdal rounding out a solid trio. Kuzdal briefly entered the transfer portal before deciding to return, giving the Wolverines a measure of stability at the position.
So while it might feel counterintuitive to move a former five-star running back to safety, the reality is Michigan has the luxury to experiment. Tatum isn’t necessarily needed in the backfield right now, and his athletic profile gives the coaching staff some intriguing options.
What Comes Next?
The key phrase here is *“start out at safety and go from there.” * This isn’t a permanent move-at least not yet.
Tatum could still see time at running back depending on how things shake out in spring and fall camp. But for now, the focus is on defense.
It’s a bold move, but one that fits the mold of a Michigan program that’s not afraid to think outside the box when it comes to maximizing talent. Tatum’s journey is just beginning in Ann Arbor, and while it may not be the path most expected, it’s one worth watching closely. If he can adapt and thrive the way Sainristil did, Michigan may have found another two-way gem.