It’s no secret that Michigan loves to run the ball, and if you’re a Wolverines fan, you’ve seen enough fourth-quarter pile drives and broken tackles to know it’s in their DNA. But with the Wolverines already securing Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top quarterback for the 2025 class, who is already been followed closely by The GOAT Brady himself. Head coach Sherrone Moore is now orchestrating a chess game on the recruiting trail that could give Michigan fans something truly historic to cheer about. Let’s just say that by adding a certain five-star partner-in-crime for Underwood at Ann Arbor, the offense looks like a Madden cheat code.

And who else to bring it to our notice, but Steve Wiltfong of On3 on his show Wiltfong Whiparound. Presenting you Savion Hiter, the electrifying five-star running back from Virginia, who is currently the hottest name on Michigan’s recruiting radar. As per Wiltfong, the Wolverines are sitting pretty in this race.

“Michigan’s recruiting… they’re in a favorable spot for Savion Hiter,” Wiltfong revealed. “He’s been there multiple times, including a game visit this fall. His relationship with Sherrone Moore and Tony Alford is second to none.” That’s high praise, and it’s clear the Wolverines have made a lasting impression on the standout. Nevertheless, their contenders are big names, and just as they don’t give up on the field, they won’t give up on him, too.

Savion Hiter isn’t shy about the programs vying for his commitment, and his top four schools read like a who’s-who of college football powerhouses: Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, and Ohio State. Yet it’s the Wolverines who seem to hold the inside track, thanks in part to Moore and running backs coach Tony Alford, who built a strong bond with Hiter during his time at Ohio State. The smooth transition to Michigan’s staff kept the relationship alive. “He loves being around Sherrone Moore… feels like he fits in at Michigan on and off the field,” Wiltfong added. That blend of culture, coaching, and opportunity appears to be setting the pace.

Still, Bryce Underwood-led Wolverines (soon) isn’t the only suitor putting its best foot forward. Georgia, often dubbed “RBU” for its tradition of producing elite running backs, has also made a strong case. Hiter visited Athens twice during the season and came away impressed with Kirby Smart’s program. “He called them RBU,” Wiltfong noted. “He loves what he’s seen from Georgia and wanted to get back around Kirby Smart and that staff.” Meanwhile, the Vols high-powered offense under Josh Heupel and Day’s Ohio State’s rich history of running back talent, highlighted by names like Ezekiel Elliott and TreVeyon Henderson, also have Hiter’s attention.

Needless to say, Hiter’s potential partnership with Underwood could be what gives Michigan the ultimate edge. Imagine this: the No. 1 quarterback from one class, who has Brady’s phone number like he’s his friend and the No. 1 running back from another, anchoring an offense built to dominate on the ground and through the air. It’s a pairing that would make opposing defenses lose sleep. And with Hiter’s track record—1,187 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 7.91 yards per carry as a junior—it’s not hard to envision him thriving in Michigan’s ground-and-pound scheme.

What makes Hiter even more enticing is his versatility as an athlete. A track-and-field standout, he’s clocked an 11.11 in the 100-meter dash, long-jumped 22-6.25, and triple-jumped 44-3.5—all numbers that showcase his explosiveness and raw athleticism. For a Michigan program that thrives on physicality but values speed in the open field, Hiter represents the perfect blend of power and finesse. “He feels Michigan will bounce back and be in national championship form sooner rather than later,” Wiltfong said. With Underwood and potentially Hiter in the fold, that optimism feels justified. When it comes to Wolverines’ joy, it comes in two, as he’s not alone. It’s a pair.

Sherrone Moore and Michigan are being greedy

As the On3 recruiting analyst dubbed, “Michigan recruiting, they are sitting pretty for a pair of top running backs.” Hiter was just the beginning. Michigan’s strategy for recruiting running backs has taken a fresh turn under first-year position coach Tony Alford, and the results are already showing. The Wolverines have reeled in a pair of Top 400 prospects in four-stars, signaling a strong start to a revamped approach. But the buzz doesn’t stop there.

They have a high-volume workhorse with huge production as a sophomore on the way. Creative runner in the hole and the first 10-20 yards. As Wiltfong also revealed on the show, “Wolverines, they’re going to get greedy at the position. They’re also in great shape with Javian Osborne, the number six running back from Texas what’s he saying at check in well it’s such their identity to their program.” Sherrone Moore’s side is leading the race for four-star tailback Javian Osborne from Forney, Texas. Osborne, ranked No. 69 overall and the No. 5 running back in the 2026 class, is a big deal—and he’s got the offers to prove it.

Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing in at 195 pounds, Osborne has a sturdy build and elite potential, but Michigan has its work cut out. Osborne, a Texas native, is being hotly pursued by the Longhorns and other in-state powerhouses like Baylor, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. With 32 total offers on the table, the Wolverines will need to keep making waves to secure this future star.

Michigan will have stiff competition in both races for these elite 2026 running backs. For now, the ball is in Hiter’s and Osborne’s court.