With the 2025 recruiting cycle approaching its official conclusion, the 2026 cycle is in full swing.
And man, it could be a special one for Michigan football. With Michigan now fully embracing NIL, they should be able to have far more success with their top targets.
Along with the incredible finish to the 2025 cycle, the Wolverines have plenty of momentum heading into the 2026 class. In short, recruits are much more interested in Michigan football now than they were six months ago.
One of the biggest recruits on Michigan’s radar is five star running back Savion Hiter, ranked as the #1 running back in the country. Hiter has visited Michigan numerous times and is very interested in the Wolverines. Running backs coach Tony Alford has made Hiter a top priority, and thus far, those efforts seem to be paying off.
Hiter told ON3’s Steve Wiltfong that Michigan is currently his top school. This is obviously huge news, as Hiter is at the top of the list for just about every major program in the nation. Getting him to Ann Arbor and pairing him with Bryce Underwood and Jordan Marshall would be incredible.
Savion Hiter, the nation's No. 1 RB in 2026, tells @SWiltfong_ that Michigan is his top school right now〽️
Read: https://t.co/w0wTe73nSh pic.twitter.com/OByJysV7TJ
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) December 29, 2024
Obviously, this recruitment has a long way to go. We may not know Hiter’s college destination for over a year. But the Wovlerines have to be feeling good about where they currently sit. With a strong season in 2025 combined with continued progress both in terms of relationships and NIL, Michigan football will have a great shot at landing the nation’s #1 running back in the 2026 recruiting class.
