To have a successful offense in the Big Ten, there is one thing you must have: a run game. In the past, Michigan has been dominant on the ground with a strong passing game opening up lanes. At other times, though, the ground-and-pound was really the Wolverines' only source of offense with poor quarterback play.
If there is one thing new head coach Kyle Whittingham can bring to Michigan, along with offensive coordinator Jason Beck, it is a strong, physical, and fast run game. Now, the Wolverines do have Jordan Marshall, who is coming off his freshman season and rearing to hit the field again as Michigan's top back, but behind him is new five-star freshman Savion Hiter. And he may not be behind him for long.
Hiter is one of the most exciting players Michigan fans should be looking forward to seeing this season. As a five-star back, his commitment in the Class of 2026 was one of the biggest for the Wolverines, especially after Sherrone Moore was fired and Whittingham took over.
In a recent photo of Hiter, you can't overlook his sheer size and not think about what he is about to do in the Big Ten, even without being the main back for the Wolverines.
A freshman should never be that big. pic.twitter.com/H5qzKIOPVw
— Michigan Metal 〽️ (@Metaleka_) August 3, 2026
Savion Hiter is the perfect Big Ten running back to elevate this Michigan offense
As mentioned before, the Big Ten is a conference that is played in the trenches on the football field. If a team can't run the ball, it is tough to find ways to win games, and Michigan knows that firsthand. Last season, the Wolverines had a carousel of running backs, but that was more due to injury than struggles.
Marshall really stepped up when Justice Haynes went down and ended up leading the team with 932 rushing yards and tied with Haynes with 10 rushing touchdowns. He finished as the leading rusher for the Wolverines even after missing a game in the regular season and the bowl game against Texas.
Now, Marshall will have a little more help in the backfield in the form of Hiter, who has received some big hype so far this offseason. The 6-foot, 210-pound true freshman is not built like most running backs. He and Marshall are similar in size, but he has been praised as one of the most physical players on the field.
Earlier in the summer, one Michigan player told Michigan Insider Chris Balas that he was sore after tackling Hiter during spring ball. Tell me that is not one of the most insane things to be heard about a true freshman running back.
Don't get me wrong, the starting job is Marshall's; he more than earned it last season, but the run game doesn't have to sit squarely on his shoulders. Running backs coach Tony Alford has already said Hiter with 100% see the field early on in the season, so make them an unstoppable running backs duo.
Hiter has the size and sheer will to barrel through defenders, while Marshall can be more of a swift back that can find the seam and kick it into high gear once he hits the open field. Either way, both guys can shine no matter when and where they are in the game, but Hiter certainly can be a game-changer for this Michigan offense.
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