Savion Hiter is arriving at Michigan with the kind of buzz that usually comes with a player expected to change things fast. ESPN has already pegged him as the No. 1 freshman in the Big Ten this season, and the Wolverines are clearly eager to see what the five-star running back can do once he finally gets his shot.
The biggest question isn’t whether Hiter will play. It’s how Michigan balances him with Jordan Marshall in the backfield.
Marshall enters his junior season after leading Michigan’s ground game last year with 932 rushing yards, stepping up when transfer Justice Haynes went down with an injury. Now he’s set to share the workload with Hiter, and the early-season split could be managed carefully. Running backs coach Tony Alford has already said Hiter will get playing time right away, but the exact role is still the key detail.
Michigan doesn’t need to force the issue in Week 1 against Western Michigan. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck can ease Hiter into the college game there, and a 70-30 split makes sense early. The workload should grow in Week 2 against Oklahoma.
Hiter’s size gives Michigan another option beyond just handing him the ball. He can help in pass protection for Bryce Underwood, who is operating behind a new offensive line, and that extra support could matter. At the same time, Hiter’s explosiveness should make him a steady piece of the offense, and a 60-40 split over the course of the season feels like the right range.
With a run-heavy approach preferred by Kyle Whittngham and Beck, Michigan has little reason to overload Underwood when Marshall and Hiter are both in the backfield. There’s no need to put more hits on the quarterback than necessary.
That setup still leaves plenty of room for Hiter to live up to the billing. He’s got a chance to match the No. 1 freshman label ESPN gave him, even with other highly touted newcomers like Ohio State’s Chris Henry Jr., who will be battling Jeremiah Smith for catches, and Oregon’s Kendre’ Harrison. Even with a split workload, Hiter could still finish near 1,000 rushing yards this season.
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