Legacy commit Jack Dunaway joins Michigan Wolverines 2015 class

Whether they played for the Michigan Wolverines or not, famous athletes are sending their kids to play for Michigan.

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Former Wolverine tight end Craig Dunaway, who caught 88 passes as a U-M tight end from 1980-82,  will see his son Jack compete for playing time at defensive end next fall.

Currently a teammate of Michigan QB commit Alex Malzone at Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, Jack Dunaway will enter Michigan as a  preferred walk-on—meaning he’s assured of a roster spot but must earn a scholarship.

Malzone to Perry?

The Wolverines also have their their eyes on another Brother Rice star, WR Grant Perry. There’s no question Grant and Malzone would enjoy playing pitch and catch next fall, too. In fact, Malzone and Grant hooked up for three touchdown passes Friday (Sept. 12) in Brother Rice’s 28-7 win over Pickerington North (Ohio).

Now one of Michigan’s ex-officio recruiters, Malzone has been pushing hard for Michigan to land legacy recruit Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. Despite being the son of former Michigan running back Tyrone Wheatley, Sr. (1991-94).  Junior is also considering Alabama, UCLA, Southern Cal and Miami (FL).

Outstanding athlete

The elder Wheatley was simply one of the top four or five athletes to ever play for Michigan.

On the gridiron, Wheatley, Sr. was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 1992, in addition to setting a pair of yards-per-carry records during the same season: his single-game mark of 15.70 (minimum 15 carries) and single season mark of 7.34 (minimum of 75 carries) still stand.

Fifth on the Michigan all-time rushing yards list with 4,178, Tyrone, Sr. went on to gain 4,962 yards in the NFL during four years with the New York Giants and six with the Oakland Raiders. On the track, Wheatley was named to the 1995 All-American team. After retiring from the NFL, Wheatley began a career in coaching, first as a track assistant,  and now as the Buffalo Bills’ running backs coach.

Congressman Runyan

Michigan’s other 2015 legacy commit is offensive tackle Jon Runyan, Jr.  whose father was an All-Big Ten election in 1995. Runyan, Sr., after completing a 14-year NFL career, was recently elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

While we’re name dropping,  Michigan currently has three players on the roster whose dads played for the Wolverines. Reserve linebacker Allen Gant‘s father Tony had 150 tackles and three interceptions as a Michigan safety in an unusual five-year career (1992-96, medical redshirt).

Wangler to Carter

The Wangler family is another story. Former quarterback John Wangler (1977-80) has three kids at Michigan. Jack is a RS freshman linebacker, Jared is a freshman wideout, and Halle is a junior guard on the women’s basketball team.

Wangler, Sr. however, is the you tube sensation. His 1979 last-second game-winning pass to Anthony Carter allowed the Wolverines to escape with a win over Lee Corso‘s (ESPN GameDay) Indiana Hoosiers. While the play was was priceless, it was the radio call by the late Bob Ufer that actually created the legend.

The son of another iconic figure is being pursued for the 2026 class. Running back prospect Elijah Holyfield is out to make a name for himself, but he’ll have to go along way to match his dad’s star power.

Evander Holyfield was a major player in professionsl boxing’s heyday.

A four-time heavyweight champion, Holyfield defeated the likes of Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, Larry Holmes and George Foreman.

Michigan basketball coach John Beilein, who’s done legendary things of his own lately, has obviously become a huge supporter of the father-son connection. Incoming freshman Aubrey Dawkins’ father Johnny was the 1986 National Player of the Year at Duke and is currently in his sixth season as Stanford’s head basketball coach. 

Glenn Robinson III, Tim Hardaway, Jr., Jordan Dumars and Jon Horford all had fathers who made their mark in the NBA.

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Bolded players and coaches are linked to Sports-Reference, an enhanced statistics website.