Nation's No. 1 RB Taylor Tatum sets commitment date
Longtime USC target, Longview (Texas) four-star running back Taylor Tatum, has officially set his commitment date.
The top ranked running back in the 2024 class will announce his decision on July 21. As expected, he will be picking between USC and Oklahoma.
The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Tatum is the No. 35 overall prospect and No. 1 running back in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the No. 9 recruit in Texas.
As a junior in 2022, Tatum rushed for 1,850 yards, 33 touchdowns and averaged 14.1 yards a carry against some of the stiffest competition in the Lone Star State. He also had three receiving scores.
USC has momentum
“That 24 class at USC’s gonna be something good. Recruiting definitely plays a part, especially with O-Line recruitment. It’s gonna good, it’s gonna be a good one at USC. Also Lincoln Riley, his offense is definitely, definitely the best in the country, in my opinion. So that’s another thing that goes in that decision, you know, going somewhere like that.”
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Tatum on what value does USC brings
“Excel well on the football field and baseball field, you’re gonna have those businesses I mentioned before coming after you. I’ll get opportunities just to meet people like owners of sports businesses, owners of restaurants and all these big time real estate people. They definitely emphasized that if you come here and you do well, you’re gonna, you’re gonna get those opportunities, not just make money off NIL, but also have those opportunities.”
On3 NIL Valuation
He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $165K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.
Taylor Tatum Personal Life (via On3 Database)
“In East Texas, they take football seriously. So, it speaks volumes when local observers mention Taylor Tatum in the same sentence as former Longview Lobos greats and even with other great running backs from the region like Adrian Peterson, David Overstreet, Edwin Simmons and others. “Longview always has a good running back, and I’m sure there’ll be other running backs coming in to take my spot,” Tatum told CBS 19. “But it’s just cool to be one of the greats, not just in Longview history but those greats that went on to be good in college and the NFL.”
“He can do a little bit of everything,” Longview coach John King said. “Not only does he run the ball, but he’ll block. He can catch it and can play in the slot. Tatum had 28 carries in the state quarterfinals, and we needed every one of them from him. He’s a good kid and comes from a great family. He plays football, baseball and track. He’s exceptional. He could get drafted in baseball as an outfielder.”
