

The fight to secure the five-star tailback Savion Hiter seems to have reached a boiling point now, with Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, and Tennessee being the final four. And even though Hiter recently visited and appreciated the Tennessee program, as per On3, Michigan is still leading the race to land the nation’s top running back. Why? Because HC Sherrone Moore has reportedly made a priority for the 2026 class.
Just last week, the Wolves pulled out all the stops, even staging a photo shoot with their five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood handing Hiter the ball—a powerful visual of their potential partnership. A bold move, indeed! Moore’s program is also aggressively pursuing NIL opportunities, emphasizing Hiter’s unique value. His high ranking elevates the stakes considerably. Speculation suggests he could earn anywhere between $600,000 to $800,000 in his freshman year, depending on his college choice. And while it may look like a four-horse race, Michigan has an extra advantage that makes them a clear favorite for Hiter. Because, behind the scenes, he is not flying solo.
The steady hand of his parents and his long-time advisor, Adam McCann of Jordan Sports Group and King Konsulting, has been instrumental in his success. Best part? McCann has a “strong working relationship” with Michigan general manager Sean Magee, which makes his case even stronger. To top it off, the Wolves are also offering their MPower program, which includes internships and allows outside sponsorship deals.
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And McCann didn’t mince words when describing it. “The alumni and the people around the program show what MPower stands for,” McCann said. “MPower isn’t just about giving kids money. It’s about putting them into a position to make their own legacy and money off the field. I talked to Justice [Haynes] and [Jordan] Marshall a lot. The way MPower has helped those two kids in the running back room has been great. They showed me some of the stuff they’ve been working on because of MPower.”
No. 1 RB Savion Hiter’s recruitment is starting to narrow down⌛️
Hiter is expected to ink an NIL package that will pay him between $600K to $800K as a freshman, per @PeteNakos_ and @SWiltfong_💰
Intel: https://t.co/rrNHljnF24 pic.twitter.com/NSZF0a1tnV
— On3 NIL (@On3NIL) June 17, 2025
Tennessee is far from out of the running—they’re making a strong push. This weekend, they are set to court five-star recruit Savion Hiter in Knoxville with a lucrative NIL offer. Another five-star target, wide receiver Tristen Keys, is also considering a potentially massive deal, reportedly between $500,000 and $1 million. This shows Tennessee is aggressively competing for top talent.
And numbers don’t lie. Hiter’s junior season statistics are impressive: 1,698 rushing yards on only 156 carries (a stunning 10.8 yards per carry) and 26 touchdowns—plus defensive plays and kick return scores. He’s a dominant player. As Wiltfong summed it up best and said, “I still think it’s Michigan and Tennessee when all is said and done,” Wiltfong said. “Those are the programs I’m watching the most right now. I think they’re the programs that will take that recruitment up another level from an NIL standpoint if they have to in order to land one of the most coveted players on their board, respectively.” But what makes Savion Hiter an absolute eye-candy for these teams?
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Savion Hiter’s impressive high school run
Savion Hiter avoids the hype; he’s unique. Instead of chasing social media fame, this five-star running back diligently works hard. “He’s going to grab his pail and lunch box and go to work every day,” said his mentor, Adam McCann. “He doesn’t care about the social media stuff. He’s one of those rare kids who doesn’t post workouts or do many interviews. He’s just one of those kids that wants to work and grind without the social media following.” This focused approach makes him a formidable threat on and off the field.
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Is Michigan's NIL strategy enough to outshine Tennessee's family-like atmosphere for Savion Hiter?
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Even amidst the NIL frenzy, Hiter remains grounded, unfazed by attention. “He’s just Savion,” said his father, Rod. “He’s a humble, quiet kid. He just wants to play football. He’s cool, calm and collected. He only has select friends he deals with. And he stays grounded. He’s a hard worker in the classroom and the field.” In a world obsessed with flashy posts, Hiter sticks to his roots.
This discipline led him to transfer from Louisa County to Woodberry Forest, proving his willingness to push his boundaries. He tackled tougher academics and fiercer competition, proving his mettle. It wasn’t about the spotlight—it was about growth. But after earning MaxPreps All-American honors, the lure of home proved stronger than prestige.
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Swapping private school for the familiar energy of Louisa County, Hiter made a statement: he plays for passion, not praise. Now, let’s wait and see if NIL push takes him to Michigan or Tennessee, or he runs behind excellence, making his way towards Georgia and Ohio State.
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Is Michigan's NIL strategy enough to outshine Tennessee's family-like atmosphere for Savion Hiter?