Savion Hiter is one of the highest-rated recruits to ever commit to Michigan. Per 247Sports’ database, he’s the ninth-highest, with fellow incoming freshman Carter Meadows as No. 7 on the list. However, running back can be an incredibly difficult position to adjust to at the collegiate level.
Today, we’re going to examine how fellow five-star running backs have produced as a freshman at their respective schools in order to give some historical precedent on what to expect from Hiter this year. For
clarity, the list below contains every five-star running back according to 247Sports composite over the previous five seasons. All stats mentioned are solely from the player’s freshman season.
Class of 2025: Harlem Berry (LSU)
Berry had a solid, if not spectacular freshman season in Baton Rouge. Similar to Hiter, he played in a crowded backfield and didn’t “start” at the beginning of the season. However, he was the most trusted back by the end of the season. His counting stats were decent with 104 carries for 491 yards and two touchdowns, though the tenor from LSU fans was they expected a bit more. Look for Berry to be a major breakout candidate in 2026.
Class of 2024: None
Somewhat surprisingly, there were no composite five-stars in 2024. The top back in the country was…current Michigan safety Taylor Tatum.
Class of 2023: CJ Baxter (Texas), Justice Haynes (Alabama), Rueben Owens II (Texas A&M)
Baxter had a fantastic freshman season and was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. He was the starting running back right away, and while he didn’t stay healthy the entire season, Baxter did still amass 138 carries, 659 yards and five touchdowns. He did all this while still splitting carries with Jonathon Brooks.
Haynes’s freshman season is well known, losing to Michigan in the Rose Bowl before transferring to the Wolverines a couple years later. He flashed immense potential, but was blocked by a substantial logjam on the depth chart. Both Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams played larger roles than Haynes, which ended up playing a part in his eventual transfer. On the season, Haynes rushed 25 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Owens had a large role in the 2023 Aggie offense, but as more than just a rusher. He was used more in the passing game than any of the running backs listed so far and also played a role in the return game. While his counting stats weren’t spectacular (101 rushes for 385 yards and three touchdowns), he did account for 743 all-purpose yards and was named to the SEC All-Freshmen team.
Class of 2022: Nicholas Singleton (Penn State)
Of those mentioned on the list so far, Singleton had by far the best freshman season, rushing 156 times for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns, as well as a kick return touchdown. Singleton became the third freshman in Penn State history to rush for more than 1,000 yards and set the school freshman rushing touchdown record in the process.
For his efforts, he earned Second-Team All-Big Ten, Freshman All-American and Big Ten Freshman of the Year. If we’re looking for historical comparisons for Hiter, Singleton would be an ideal candidate.
Class of 2021: TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State), Will Shipley (Clemson), Camar Wheaton (Alabama)
Like Singleton, Henderson emerged on the national stage almost immediately. He started almost immediately and ended the season by setting the Ohio State record for most touchdowns by a true freshman with 19. He rushed the ball 183 times for 1,248 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also hauled in four receiving touchdowns.
While not as explosive as Singleton or Henderson, Shipley had a nice freshman season at Clemson. He was stuck in a crowded backfield but emerged as the leader by the end of the season. He carried the ball 149 times for 739 yards and 11 touchdowns. His freshman season would certainly be considered a success by just about anyone.
Finally, Wheaton was the one legitimate bust on this list, though it’s not entirely his fault. A meniscus injury wiped out his entire freshman season, so he didn’t see a snap. He eventually transferred to SMU, where he was a rotational back for two years.
The precedent for Hiter appears pretty good based on this list. Barring injury, every former five-star running back was at worst a rotational back as freshmen. A couple were even major hits (Henderson, Singleton.) While Michigan has Jordan Marshall to rely on, I would expect Hiter to play early and often to complement Marshall and keep each other fresh and healthy.
