Not all freshmen are created equal. Some will ride the bench, still in the process of development; others will see some time on task in scant action on the field; others will get opportunities but won't quite become household names.
And then there are the freshmen that take the college football world by storm. And, according to CBS Sports, Michigan football has one who will do just that.
Last year, as CBS Sports handed out preseason awards, it was quarterback Bryce Underwood who earned freshman of the year honors. While he may have been somewhat overshadowed by a few other first-year signal callers, the ceiling remains high for him. And yet, another Wolverine has earned the preseason honor, with running back Savion Hiter being the freshman to
watch in college football, according to CBS Sports.
The @CBSSportsCFB Preseason Freshman of the Year is @UMichFootball 5⭐️ freshman running back Savion Hiter 〽️
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) August 18, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/c1y4Rew7zm pic.twitter.com/leyLqPRgel
Freshman of the Year: Savion Hiter, RB, Michigan
It's back-to-back Preseason Freshman of the Year picks for Michigan. Hiter joins quarterback Bryce Underwood, last year's CBS Sports Preseason Freshman of the Year, in a Wolverines offense that could look significantly different under new coordinator Jason Beck. Still, that change could create an ideal opportunity for the five-star running back.
Hiter was the No. 21 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class and brings the kind of blend of burst, power, agility, balance and vision that is difficult to keep off the field.
He'll share the backfield with Jordan Marshall, while Underwood figures to get his share of carries as well. But there should be plenty of opportunities for Hiter to establish himself as Michigan's lead back.
That's especially true given what Beck is bringing to Ann Arbor. His 2025 offense at Utah ranked second nationally in rushing yards per game (266.31), eighth in rushing attempts per game (44.23) and fourth in rushing success rate (50.1%). That's a whole lot of rushing volume to go around.
Hiter has the talent to make the most of it. If Beck's offense carries over to Michigan, the freshman could quickly become one of the most productive first-year players in the country.
Hiter won't be the starter, but as noted, he'll work alongside Jordan Marshall and will also split time with former walk-on Bryson Kuzdzal in the offensive backfield. There are high expectations for the No. 1 running back in the 2026 class, especially considering Jason Beck's run-first offense that thrived at both New Mexico and Utah. Each of the past two years, each team finished as the nation's second-best rushing offense.
That doesn't mean he'll outrush Marshall, or even quarterback Bryce Underwood. But he'll certainly get a lot of looks and the opportunity to surpass one or both of them this season.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan RB Savion Hiter named preseason freshman of the year
