Michigan’s plan for Taylor Tatum raises major questions after Oklahoma exit

The Michigan Wolverines managed to snatch a former top running back recruit from the Oklahoma Sooners out of the Transfer Portal, but apparently aren't even going to use him on offense.

Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press reported on Wednesday that Taylor Tatum, who was the No. 1 running back in the 2024 class, will start his Michigan career as a safety instead of running back after transferring from OU this cycle. According to Garcia, Tatum will "start out at safety and go from there," so the move might not be permanent, but is still definitely head-scratching.

Taylor Tatum reportedly switching positions after transferring from Sooners

A crowded backfield pushed Tatum out of Norman, so a move to get more carries, not zero, seemed to be what was next for him.

Tatum signed with the Sooners as a consensus four-star recruit from Longview High School in Texas in 2024. Most major recruiting outlets ranked him as a top-50 overall prospect in the class and as the top running back. He initially signed to play both football and baseball for the Sooners, and is now expected to do the same at Michigan.

As a freshman, Tatum immediately exploded onto the scene and looked like the No. 1 running back with 69 rushing yards and a touchdown on only five carries in his college debut against Temple in the Sooners' 2024 season opener. He finished his freshman campaign with 278 rushing yards and three TDs while averaging 5.0 yards on 56 attempts. However, by the end of the season, classmate Xavier Robinson had emerged as the next young back to lead the Sooners' ground game.

An injury delayed Tatum's 2025 season before he ultimately redshirted after making just one appearance against South Carolina. While he was on the sidelines, Robinson kept rolling and freshman Tory Blaylock became the clear No. 2. Tatum would have started the 2026 season at least third on the pecking order, so he hit the portal.

Just a day after Tatum's next destination was known, Michigan star running back Justice Haynes entered the Transfer Portal, so the move immediately made complete sense for both parties. However, although Tatum is obviously a freak athletic with his high-level success in football, baseball and track, nothing about this situation no longer makes any sense and left all of Sooner Nation confused.