Savion Hiter is still headed to Ann Arbor, and make no mistake - he’s still one of the most electrifying young backs in the country. But with a recent shake-up in the recruiting landscape, Hiter now finds himself in a different spot on the leaderboard.
Ezavier Crowell, a five-star back who had originally been part of the 2027 class, announced he’s reclassifying to 2026 and enrolling early at Alabama. That move instantly vaulted him to the No. 1 running back slot in the 2026 class, nudging Hiter down to No. 2.
Now, let’s be clear: this isn’t a knock on Hiter. If anything, it just speaks to how loaded this class is at the top - and how special both of these backs could be at the next level.
Crowell’s high school numbers are eye-popping. Over three seasons, he racked up 6,333 rushing yards and punched in 91 touchdowns.
He also added over 500 receiving yards and six more scores through the air, all while helping lead Jackson Football to back-to-back state titles. That’s the kind of production that turns heads - and gets you on the fast track to Tuscaloosa.
But Hiter’s resume is just as loaded. He actually outpaced Crowell in total rushing yards and touchdowns, finishing with 6,566 yards and 94 scores during his high school career. Those numbers don’t just happen - they’re the result of elite vision, burst, and the kind of physicality that translates to Big Ten football.
And Michigan fans have plenty to be excited about. Hiter steps into a running back room that’s already deep and well-coached under Kyle Whittingham. He’ll have the chance to learn from Jordan Marshall, who’s established himself as one of the Wolverines’ most reliable weapons, and share the backfield with returning talent like Bryson Kuzdzal.
That kind of depth gives Michigan options - and it gives Hiter time. He won’t be asked to carry the load from day one, but make no mistake, he’s the future of that backfield. And with quarterback Bryce Underwood heading into his sophomore campaign, the Wolverines are quietly assembling one of the most dynamic young offensive cores in the country.
So while Crowell’s reclassification may have shifted the rankings, it doesn’t change what Michigan has in Savion Hiter: a high-ceiling, high-character back who’s built to make an impact in the Big Ten.