5-star running back has a response to Michigan offer that fans will love

Michigan football is known for its running game. It's one of the reasons the Wolverines have been killing it on the recruiting trail at the running back position for years.

There were some gaps on the recruiting trail under Mike Hart, but the Wolverines were able to land five-star running back Donovan Edwards out of high school. Michigan also landed Jordan Marshall, a top-50 back in 2024, as well as Savion Hiter, the No. 1 running back in 2026.

Even with a change at head coach, Michigan football will still be focused on running the ball. Under Kyle Whittingham, Utah had a top-10 rushing offense in 2026. The Utes ran more than they threw.

That could certainly change with Bryce Underwood, especially if he continues to take positive steps forward in his development, as he has so far this spring. Yet, it's hard not to see Michigan running the ball at least 50 percent of the time.

5-star running back calls Michigan football offer 'unreal'

That's something that stood out to five-star running back Zaiden Jernigan, who like Hiter, is ranked No. 1 among running backs in his class (2028). When he was offered by the Wolverines, he told Brice March of The Michigan, it was an "unreal moment."

"They try to involve their running backs in almost everything that they do and I do see myself as a fit for their offense."

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound high school sophomore is ranked 25th overall in the 2028 class out of Louisville, Mississippi. In the last month, he's been offered by Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, Missouri, and now Michigan.

So this is going to be a recruiting war. Yet, when it comes to elite running backs, Michigan has a feather in its cap that most others don't, which is its commitment to the run. That's why when it comes to five-star running backs like Jernigan, it feels like the Wolverines have more than a puncher's chance.