Spring sessions are always a balancing act. Between on-field development, high-profile recruiting visits, and looming roster turnover, Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has his hands full. This March has been no different. With a jam-packed schedule of practices and scouting, the Buckeyes have been working overtime to solidify their depth chart. But one glaring reality looms over Columbus, and that’s Day’s offense. What once boasted to be one of the most explosive running back tandems in the nation last season, is now staring down an uncertain future at the position. With TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins both bound for the 2025 NFL Draft, OSU got to have its sights set on the next wave of elite talent to carry the load.

And that pursuit just took center stage with a recruiting battle against their blood-rivals. Enter Savion Hiter. The No. 13 overall player in the 2026 class five-star RB nationally, the Virginia standout made his way to Columbus this past weekend for an unofficial visit. It was an opportunity for the Buckeyes to make their case, and according to Lettermen Row’s Alex Gleitman, the staff put their best foot forward. “I think that [for] Ohio State, this was a big visit ,” Gleitman reported, referring to Hiter. “The whole Hiter family was there. TreVeyon Henderson was on campus… those two were able to talk for a good chunk of the practice and connect.” The significance of that connection can’t be overstated.

Savion Hiter, a dynamic 5-foot-11, 200-pound playmaker, got a first-hand look at what it means to be an Ohio State back, with Henderson himself serving as an ambassador for the program. But beyond the relationships, there’s a pressing question that could dictate where Hiter ultimately lands. It’s hit right on the NIL money. As Gleitman put it, “I think the biggest question for Ohio State is going to be: Is NIL the biggest factor in this recruitment?” Hiter is one of the most coveted prospects in the country, and multiple suitors are prepared to make aggressive offers.

His current On3 NIL valuation sits at $364,000, and some programs are prepared to go even higher. “One of the other three finalists, if not more than them, are going to have a larger NIL package than Ohio State,” Gleitman noted. “Is he just taking the largest package, or is it, ‘Hey, I know I’m going to do pretty well as an Ohio State running back’?” That’s the multi-million-dollar question. If it’s strictly about the money, Ryan Day could find itself on the outside looking in. But if tradition, development, and future earning potential still hold weight, the Buckeyes are far from out of the race.

That’s where Michigan and Tennessee come into play. The Wolverines, in particular, are locked in on Hiter and see him as a potential program cornerstone. With Michigan also in the hunt for four-star running back Javian Osborne—who recently named UM in his final two—they’ve got options. But make no mistake: Hiter is priority No. 1. Michigan’s pitch likely includes their history of churning out NFL-ready backs and the chance to step into a system built to showcase power runners.

That leaves Ohio State fighting off two heavyweights in a recruiting war that may ultimately come down to one thing: whether they can compete in the financial arms race. For Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn, Hiter isn’t just another name on the board—he’s the top target in the class. That’s why Locklyn made the trip to visit Hiter at his high school in January, laying the groundwork for what could be a game-changing addition.

And while Hiter’s Columbus visit was unofficial, the Buckeyes will have another swing at him when he returns for his official visit on May 30. That’s the date circled in red on Ohio State’s recruiting calendar, the moment they’ll need to make their most compelling pitch yet. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Day and his staff know what’s at risk. With Henderson and Judkins set to be selected in the first two days of the draft, Ohio State’s reputation for developing elite running backs remains as strong as ever.

Ryan Day is in an expensive race with Michigan for Savion Hiter

The battle for 2026 standout battering ram Savion Hiter is heating up, and it’s looking like an expensive one. With Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, and Tennessee all in the mix, this recruiting war is just getting started.

According to MaxPreps, Hiter is an absolute machine on the field, racking up 1,698 rushing yards on just 156 carries (an insane 10.8 yards per carry) and 26 touchdowns last season. And if that wasn’t enough, he also contributed 199 receiving yards, 56 tackles, seven sacks, and even an interception on defense. Simply put, this guy is a game-changer.

He’s scheduled for official visits to Ohio State (May 30), Georgia (June 6), Michigan (June 13), and the Tennessee (June 20). And let’s be real—this isn’t just about football. Michigan and Tennessee are reportedly ready to throw some serious NIL money his way, making this an all-out recruiting battle both on and off the field.

Ohio State has yet to land a 2026 running back, but they did sign four-star Bo Jackson (Cleveland, Ohio) in 2025. Will Ryan Day be able to fend off the big-spending Wolverines and Vols?