The Michigan Wolverines got their guy.
Now that 2026 five-star running back Savion Hiter is officially headed to Ann Arbor, let’s take a look at some of his traits that have earned him such a high billing among his peers.
The Breakdown
During his 2024 campaign for Louisa County High School in Mineral, Virginia, Hiter ran for 1,897 yards and 29 touchdowns on 156 carries, according to his Hudl film. He also had 199 receiving yards and three kick return touchdowns last season.
At 5-foot-11.5, 200 pounds, the No. 1 running
back in the 2026 class has the elite athleticism and build to dominate college football. Beyond Hiter’s prowess on the football field, he excels for Louisa County’s track and field team, particularly in the 55-meter dash, the long jump and the triple jump.
Hiter has racked up numerous All-American, Player of the Year and All-State honors, and should continue to cement his Virginia high school football legacy this fall. But let’s jump ahead to what he will bring to Michigan.
The Film
Hiter can do it all. As an inside rusher, he does a great job hitting the hole hard and making himself skinny. That flexibility and fluidity help him evade initial tacklers, and he has the bruising style to punish second-level defenders.
He also has a mean stiff arm that he loves to utilize near the boundaries, and he is more than willing to set his shoulder down and lay into linebackers. While Hiter did not have much pass blocking film — mainly because it is an inefficient use of his talents against this competition — he should have no issues rounding out his game with the Wolverines.
Hiter is not solely a power back, however. He has outstanding speed, especially once he gets into the secondary. He has track star etched in his running style and has more than a few long touchdown runs on tape. He is also a terrific juker, as he can shake defenders with his east-west quicks and then hit the pedal for game-breaking runs. There are very few (if any) flaws in his running game.
Hiter also presents as a highly confident running back. He does not second-guess his decisions, and when he plants his foot in the ground, it is decisive and vicious. Coming to a run-friendly offense like Michigan’s is a match made in Big Ten-style heaven.
While he is not as refined as a pass catcher, he has capable hands and a good feel for finding the soft spot in zones and being a safety outlet for his quarterback. Hiter’s game is still developing, and there is no reason he cannot become a dominant three-down back for years to come.
A final note: 247Sports’ Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins listed former North Carolina Tar Heels running back and Los Angeles Chargers first-round pick Omarion Hampton as his “reminds us of” player. Hampton’s offensive coordinator at North Carolina? Chip Lindsey, the new man in Ann Arbor. If Hiter is even 75 percent of what Hampton was in college, the Wolverines will have a star lead back for a while.
