The Michigan offense is about to get a total makeover with offensive coordinator Jason Beck leading the way, but don't think that the run game won't still be a huge part of the Wolverines' identity.
Beck has the best problem in the world, having two running backs ready to go this season who could both be starters just about anywhere else. Jordan Marshall comes back as the experienced back for the Wolverines, but will split snaps with five-star freshman Savion Hiter.
Hiter is one of, if not the most exiting freshman to take the field this season, rivaled probably only by Ohio State's Chris Henry Jr., but let's face it, no Michigan fan cares about him. From being named the No. 1 Big Ten freshman by ESPN to now being named CBS Sports Preseason Freshman of the Year, Hiter has a lot to live up to this season.
The @CBSSportsCFB Preseason Freshman of the Year is @UMichFootball 5⭐️ freshman running back Savion Hiter 〽️
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) August 18, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/c1y4Rew7zm pic.twitter.com/leyLqPRgel
Coming in as a freshman, Hiter doesn't have the pressure of starting on his shoulders, but the hype he has garnered from the media, his coaches, and his teammates is enough to combat that. Now, the question left is whether or not Hiter performs to expectations
Savion Hiter can't have a Bryce Underwood-type season in Year 1 at Michigan
When Bryce Underwood was named the starter for Michigan as a true freshman last season, there was hope he would be the savior Michigan needed. That is a lot of pressure to put on a freshman, especially a quarterback, when the success of the offense rests on your shoulders. Granted, Michigan still went 9-3 last season, but Underwood's numbers were underwhelming, no pun intended.
Hiter isn't the starter for Michigan, so that pressure won't be on him, but with all the preseason accolades, it feels like the expectations are sky-high, fairly similar to what happened with Underwood last season.
Preseason awards mean as much as the yogurt top medals from The Dunder Mifflin Olympics in The Office, but the expectations they build are very real. Hiter is expected to be this explosive back who will take down any defender that dares to get in his path to the end zone. Realistically, Hiter will probably have a few growing pains, but that is the beauty of having Marshall as the starter.
There really wasn't anyone else to turn to last season when Underwood struggled, but if Hiter struggles, then Marshall gets more carries, easily taking the load off the five-star freshman back. There is no reason to overload Hiter when he and Marshall can work more as a duo in the backfield, rather than one getting way more snaps than the other.
Michigan can't afford to overwhelm Hiter, as he is a player they don't want to see hit the transfer portal after this season. That is still a long way off, but Hiter simply needs to go out and play football to the best of his ability, and that very well could be enough to be the Freshman of the Year by the end of the season.
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