Michigan football is picking up some serious momentum on the recruiting trail. While the Wolverines haven't landed any commitments since October, they've been doing a tremendous job of developing relationships and getting visits scheduled.
The Wolverines have a plethora of elite prospects scheduled to visit and are in talks to get even more on campus. Two of the biggest targets who are scheduled to visit are running backs Javian Osborne and Savion Hiter. Hiter is ranked as the #1 running back in the nation, and Osborne is ranked as the #4 back. And Michigan football appears to lead for both.
Michigan has received tons of momentum over the past few weeks with Osborne, who was previously considered a Texas lean. The Texas RB coach left for the Detroit Lions, and Osborne has since canceled his visit to Texas, while also being predicted to Michigan. The Wolverines are the clear team to beat with Osborne and are scheduled to receive his last official visit the weekend of June 20th.
Other teams receiving visits are Georgia, SMU, Miami, and Alabama. This one is shaping up very well for Michigan football. But, of course, there is a lot of time for stuff to change.
When it comes to Hiter, Michigan football has been viewed as the team to beat for essentially the entirety of his recruitment. Running backs coach Tony Alford has done a phenomenal job of building a relationship with Hiter and his family, and it's clear that Hiter loves Michigan.
Hiter has a top four of Michigan, Georgia, Ohio State, and Tennessee. The current plan is for Hiter to commit over the Summer after making his official visits. Hiter will visit Michigan the weekend of June 13th, while Tennessee will receive the last official visit the following weekend.
Can Michigan football land two top five running backs in 2026?
Yes, it's certainly doable. Michigan has been very open about recruiting both and appears to be pitching a dominant two running back group. Think Sonic and Knuckles, like the Detroit Lions have. So far, the two have been receptive to the idea; they'd get to play in an elite running offense while also being able to stay fresh.
Michigan has had success with two great running backs over the past few years, and that trend is only going to continue with Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes in 2025. It does not appear that the commitment of one will scare off the other.
With that being said, you really can never tell. Would Osborne, despite being a top five running back that just about every team in the nation wants, be okay being the 1B with Hiter as 1A? Would Hiter be okay splitting carries and not necessarily having the sole star role? Both backs are incredibly talented and would undoubtedly shine if they were the main back in a backfield.
This is one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 recruiting cycle for Michigan football. Can the Wolverines land two elite running backs? Stay tuned for updates, especially as Summer comes closer.