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Michigan misses on top target; inches closer to landing 5-star RB

Michigan football missed out on one of its top targets in the 2026 recruiting class, plus an update in the recruitment of Savion Hiter.
ByChris Peterson|
Jan 19, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head football coach Sherrone Moore fires up the crowd in overtime of the basketball game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Jan 19, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head football coach Sherrone Moore fires up the crowd in overtime of the basketball game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

June is the month when many recruitments will start to take shape. That's when official visits happen, and many commitments, and for Michigan football, one top target is already off the board to another program.

Four-star offensive lineman Leo Delaney, who was trending toward a commitment to Michigan football just a few weeks ago, started trending to Clemson after an official visit last weekend.

On Wednesday, the top-100 offensive lineman, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, announced his commitment to the Tigers.

Delaney won't be taking his official visit to Michigan. It shows how quickly a recruitment can change. Visits often tell the story, which is something to keep in mind with another big weekend of official visits on tap for the Wolverines.

Michigan football among top two for 5-star RB

While the Wolverines started trending in the wrong direction with Delaney after last weekend, things are trending in the opposite direction for Michigan with elite running back Savion Hiter.

The five-star running back is ranked 11th overall according to the On3 Industry rankings. He's also the top-ranked running back in the 2026 recruitng class.

Hiter visited Ohio State last weekend. He's also got visits on tap with Georgia, Tennessee, and Michigan. Yet, despite the trip to Columbus last weekend, Steve Wiltfong, the national recruiting expert for On3.com, says that he's got his eye on two teams: Michigan and Tennessee.

Ohio State and Georgia have the best odds to land his commitment via the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, but after the Bulldogs host him this weekend, he'll visit U-M and Tennessee. The Wolverines have long been among the favorites.

The Wolverines will likely need to change up the NIL strategy to land a five-star running back like Hiter, but Michigan is right in the thick of the recruitment.

Michigan football has been in the driver's seat for the five-star running back for months. The Wolverines just need to close.

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