Last season, the big fish in Michigan football’s recruiting class was the nation’s No. 1 quarterback. This time around, it’s the nation’s top running back.
Savion Hiter, the five-star ball carrier out of Mineral, Virginia (Louisa County) committed to the Wolverines on Tuesday, Aug. 19, picking U-M over another trio of finalists in Ohio State, Georgia and Tennessee.
Hiter stands 5 feet 11 and 200 pounds and is seen as a future NFL running back by experts. The class of 2026 standout is the No. 1 player in the state of Virginia, the No. 1 running back in the country and the No. 9 player regardless of position according to 247Sports composite rankings.
When picking the Wolverines, Hiter shouted out Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford, who came to Ann Arbor after previously being with Ohio State.
“Teaching little running backs to big running backs like Ezekiel Elliot, it feels great to have a chance to be coached by him,” Hiter said.
When asked about how he saw himself fitting into U-M’s offensive scheme, he kept his answer brief:
“They run the ball a lot.”
“Juiced-up running back with star potential for a College Football Playoff contender given the mix of his burst, power, agility, balance and vision,” wrote 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Irvins. “Has dominated the combine setting (1.52 10-yard split, 4.12 shuttle, 36-inch vertical jump) and is equipped with ready-to-play mass as he’s already tipping the scales at 200 pounds.
“Effective as both an inside and outside runner as he’s quick to chart a course and charge forward.”
Hiter is a multi-sports athlete, finishing as a state qualifier at VHSL Class 4A indoor meet as a sophomore in the 55-meter dash, long jump and triple jump according to his profile. An Under Armour All-American in 2025, Hiter was named All-Central Virginia Player of the Year and a VHSL Class 5 All-State selection in 2024.
He helped Louisa County go 9-3 that year and reach regional semifinals as he ran 156 times for an incredible 1,698 yards (10.8 YPC) and 26 touchdowns. Hiter, who also had 199 receiving yards, was a two-way player at the time and finished with 56 tackles, seven sacks and an interception on defense to go with three kickoffs returned for scores.
Hiter is big enough to run between the tackles and fast enough to get to the outside with home run speed. Though both Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes could return to Ann Arbor for 2026, Hiter is the type of talent to play as a true freshman.
“Should be viewed as a gifted ball carrier that can be a multi-year impact player on Saturdays and provide valuable minutes as early as Year 1,” Irvins wrote. “Must avoid setbacks and remain hungry, but profiles as a future NFL Draft pick with his size, testing and feel for the position.”
The Wolverines’ class is largely in place, with Hiter seen as the last top priority target on the board. Others Class of 2026 targets still include linebacker DQ Forkpa, Liberty commit Kaden Catchings (athlete) and Missouri commit Jabari Brady (wide receiver).
Michigan’s class now has 22 commitments and should jump back into the top 10 nationally for its 2026 class.
Not a bad 18th birthday present for quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Savion Hiter, nation’s top running back in 2026, commits to Michigan over Tennessee, OSU
Reporting by Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
