Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State Buckeyes are going to have to beat out Michigan for elite running back who would be a home run get

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated May 15, 2025 3:01 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes won a National Championship last season, marking a significant milestone for head coach Ryan Day. However, one major hurdle remains: beating the Michigan Wolverines.

Defeating Michigan has been a challenge for Day, as the Buckeyes have lost four straight games to their biggest rival.

Now, Ohio State has a chance to score a win over Michigan off the field. Both programs are competing for one of the top running backs in the country.

Five-star RB Savion Hiter Schedules Official Visits to Ohio State, Michigan, and Others

Ohio State is set to host one of its top recruiting targets at the end of this month. Louisa County (VA) running back Savion Hiter will take his official visit to Columbus on May 30. He’ll follow that up with visits to Georgia the next weekend, then Michigan and Tennessee.

BREAKING: Elite 2026 RB Savion Hiter is down to 4️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits

The No. 1 RB in ‘26 has locked in OVs to each of his finalists:

• Ohio State- May 30-June 1
• Georgia- June 6-8
• Michigan- June 13-15
• Tennessee- June 19-22https://t.co/VKtLd1LZEN pic.twitter.com/KdXp8DjkTd
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 16, 2025

The Buckeyes are high on several running backs in this class, and Hiter is among their top priorities. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Hiter is the No. 1 running back and the No. 17 overall player in the nation. He visited Ohio State last month, and the Buckeyes remain one of the frontrunners in his recruitment.

Coming off a season in which Ohio State showcased one of the best rushing attacks in the country—featuring Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson—Hiter could be the next standout in Carlos Locklyn’s backfield. James Peoples and CJ Donaldson will lead the charge for the Buckeyes in 2025 but there are snaps to be had as soon as 2026 for Hiter.

If Hiter’s final decision comes down to Ohio State versus Michigan, the Buckeyes can’t afford to lose this battle.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: