Ohio State, Michigan In Intense Recruiting Race For Projected $364k Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated May 13, 2025 6:26 PM ET

The heated rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan has extended to the recruiting trail for one of the top recruits in the class of 2026.

The Buckeyes signed the nation’s No. 5 class (On3) after securing the program’s ninth national championship and the first under head coach Ryan Day.

The Wolverines and head coach Sherrone Moore, one of two teams to take down Ohio State last season, weren’t far behind in the 2025 cycle, hauling in the No. 6 class

It’s still very early in the 2026 cycle and multiple uncommitted blue-chip recruits remain on the board entering the summer. The next couple of months will specifically be pivotal for the race surrounding five-star running back Savion Hiter.

Hiter (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) plays for Louisa County High School in Mineral, Virginia. He is rated as the No. 1 running back, the No. 1 player in the state and the No. 11 overall player in his class.

The two-way star totaled 1,698 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground while adding 199 receiving yards in 2024. Defensively, Hiter was credited with 56 tackles, seven sacks and an interception. He also added three touchdowns as a returner.

Hiter holds a $364,000 NIL valuation entering his senior season, per On3.

Ohio State, Michigan, Tennessee and Georgia made Hiter’s final four schools in February. He took unofficial visits to each of his top contenders last year and has a busy visit schedule lined up over the summer.

According to On3’s Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons, it’s the Buckeyes and Wolverines who lead the charge at this time, with contrasting predictions for Hiter between the pair of Big Ten powers.

The update puts a focus on Hiter’s visits to Ohio State (May 30) and Michigan (June 13). He will also take official trips to Georgia (June 6) and Tennessee (June 20).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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