Michigan true freshman running back Savion Hiter is still working to find his rhythm in the Wolverines’ ground game, but the money attached to him says the program expects a lot more coming soon.
On3’s Pete Nakos reported Wednesday morning that Hiter is making $800,000 this season, according to his sources. That puts him among the highest-paid running backs in college football, and in some cases ahead of players with much more on-field production.
One of the clearest comparisons is Ohio State sophomore Bo Jackson. Jackson put together a breakout true freshman season in 2025 and signed a new deal with the Buckeyes this offseason, and Nakos reported that he is making between $700,000 and $800,000. Hiter, meanwhile, has 24 carries for 83 yards and two touchdowns through three games in 2026, yet his reported number is higher than or equal to Jackson’s.
Hiter’s figure also tops Georgia running back Nate Frazier’s $775,000, even though Frazier came close to 1,000 rushing yards last season and is considered one of the SEC’s better backs. Duke’s Nate Sheppard, who leads the nation with 528 rushing yards and is in the Heisman Trophy conversation, is reported at $600,000-$750,000.
Texas Tech’s Cameron Dickey, fresh off a 1,124-yard season, is at $600,000. Those numbers, too, come from Nakos’ reporting.
Only six running backs are listed ahead of Hiter by Nakos: Ole Miss’s Kewan Lacy at $2 million, and Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy, Florida’s Jadan Baugh, Texas’ Hollywood Smothers, Texas’ Raleek Brown and Louisville’s Isaac Brown, each at $1 million. All of them are upperclassmen with proven college production.
For Michigan, the $800,000 price tag is clearly tied more to Hiter’s recruiting reputation than what he has done so far on Saturdays. A five-star recruit and one of the most coveted prospects in his class, he arrived in Ann Arbor with major expectations and a major financial package to match.
So far, the fit has been slow to click. Through three weeks, Michigan’s run game has struggled in offensive coordinator Jason Beck’s scheme, and the offensive line has not consistently opened holes.
The Wolverines’ rushing attack is ranked 91st nationally entering this weekend’s game against Iowa. Hiter has flashed at times, including some encouraging work against UTEP last week, especially in the second half, but he has not yet produced at the level of a Top 10 paid running back in college football.
Still, he’s a freshman, and that matters. Nakos’ list includes backs such as Lacy and Baugh, who also needed time before their production took off. If Michigan’s line settles in and Beck can get Hiter into space more often, the investment could end up looking smart in hindsight.
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