Michigan is heading into fall camp a little thinner than expected, with two players no longer in the program: wide receiver CJ Charleston and safety Taylor Tatum.
Clayton Sayfie of The Wolverine reported the departures, and Charleston’s situation was tied to eligibility. Sayfie said he was seeking a seventh year, but that request was denied. Charleston caught one pass for 22 yards in 2024.
Tatum’s exit is the more notable one because Michigan had viewed him as a versatile addition. He arrived from Oklahoma as a running back and was initially part of the conversation for a potential backfield mix with Savion Hiter and Jordan Marshall before shifting to defense. He also brought baseball into the picture, with plans to be a multi-sport athlete.
Tatum came into the 2024 cycle as the 38th-ranked player and the top running back in that class. Michigan missed on him then, but did land Marshall in the same cycle, and Marshall is now positioned to be the Wolverines’ top back in 2026 after already showing star potential in maize and blue.
The move to safety had started to show promise. Tatum made a few plays in Michigan’s spring game and had the athletic profile to make the switch work, but that path is now closed. He will focus on baseball.
Charleston’s departure doesn’t change much at receiver, where the bigger picture remains centered on Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan as Michigan tries to rebuild that room in 2026. Charleston would have had a shot at a secondary role, but the position group is crowded and short on production.
Tatum’s exit matters more because of what he could have offered beyond one spot. Michigan had the option of using his running back background as emergency depth if the backfield got hit by attrition, much like Kalel Mullings did in 2022. That kind of flexibility can matter, especially with defensive back depth still a concern.
The starting secondary looks settled enough, with Rod Moore expected back at safety alongside Memphis transfer Chris Bracy. At corner, Jyaire Hill, Zeke Berry, and Smith Snowden give Michigan an intriguing trio, but the experience drops off after that. Tatum had a real chance to carve out a role there.
Instead, Michigan has to keep sorting out the back end of the roster as camp approaches.
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