By early May, the hype around Savion Hiter had shifted into overdrive: he had officially visited Ohio State on May 30–June 1 and Georgia on June 6–8, showing neither choice was a foregone conclusion. Ohio State rolled out full amenities—sleepover arrangements, one-on-one meetings with position coaches, and access to film-room walkthroughs—while Georgia followed immediately with campus tours, sit-down meals, and public praise from their coaching staff. His public posts after each trip, thankful but non-committal, kept the suspense alive. Then came June 13–15 in Ann Arbor.

There, Michigan dialed up the drama: they choreographed a “handoff photo op” between Hiter and five-star QB Bryce Underwood, held a family dinner hosted by Tony Alford (Hiter’s long-time recruiter), and integrated him into spring practice drills. Advisors close to the family told me those interactions were deeply personal and aimed at embedding him into Michigan’s RB lineage and team culture.

Lastly, Tennessee scheduled an official weekend for June 20–23, just before the NCAA’s quiet period. On the field, Hiter joined team workouts; off it, he and his family were treated to a VIP tour of the athletic complex, met with coach De’Rail Sims, and were immersed in the stadium’s pulsating game-day vibe. Sources from Tennessee’s staff described the visit as “strategic and electric,” timed to leave a strong emotional aftertaste. And now, after that strategically paced sequence of visits, On3’s Austin Price is finally pulling back the curtain, revealing which two schools have positioned themselves as the frontrunners.

 On the June 26th episode of the On3 Recruits podcast, analyst Austin Price offered clarity on where things stand—and more importantly, where they might be headed. “Right now I think Tennessee—it’s still a two-team race, Josh. I think it’s Tennessee, it’s Michigan. Everybody else is to me way behind, and those are the two teams that have separated,” he said. 

From a recruiting insider’s perspective, the divide isn’t just about performance on the visit trail—it’s about who can maintain momentum over time. The spotlight, according to Price, isn’t only on who leads today but on when Hiter ultimately makes his decision.“I think it’s really close. I think, you know, the question is for me is: when does he announce, when does he decide?” he continued.

There’s growing speculation that the 2026 five-star might wait until the fall, holding off until after he’s had the chance to watch how each team performs on the field. “There’s a notion out there that he’s going to wait until September, watch the teams play a couple of games, go from there,” Price explained. “And if that’s the case—I mean, you remember what it was like with David Sanders last year when he went to like August 18th or whatever—add a month to that.”

In that scenario, Hiter would be one of the few top-tier prospects still uncommitted well into the season—a rarity as most elite recruits pledge before the early signing period chaos begins. “Because most everybody else is going to be off the board, and so like you’re gonna have just a handful of kids that aren’t committed out there. And he’ll be a—I mean—a primo five-star that won’t be committed if that is the case.”

Ultimately, the decision may come down to an intimate conversation far away from campus tours or NIL pitches. “So the question is: when does he do it? And then kind of, you know, when he sits down with his mom and everybody and works towards a decision—like how does this thing bear out?” Price said, before reaffirming the core message of his analysis. “But I still think it’s a two-team race—two at the top, splitting hairs between the two.”

Last season, Hiter earned MaxPreps Junior All-American honors after racking up 1,897 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. Defensively, he added 56 tackles and seven sacks—numbers that underscore why he’s considered the No. 1 running back in the 2026 class and the No. 17 overall prospect, per 247Sports. His versatility and physical profile (200 pounds with a 1.52 10-yard split and 36-inch vertical) have made him a standout at offseason camps.

His Tennessee visit on June 20 was not only his fourth trip to Knoxville—it also marked one of the most high-energy moments in his recruitment. On June 23, Hiter posted a photo in full Vols gear with crates of orange behind him, captioned, “Thank you @Vol_Football for having my family and I this weekend, appreciate you rolling out the orange carpet #GBO.” But despite the social media buzz, sources close to the situation say Tennessee’s staff isn’t assuming anything—they know Michigan remains a formidable contender.

Why does Michigan fit the mold better in the Savion Hiter recruiting race?

Michigan football’s pitch to Hiter was rooted in legacy. The Wolverines have remained a consistent player in his recruitment ever since running backs coach Tony Alford left Ohio State and brought his relationship with Hiter to Ann Arbor. Their most recent visit was crafted to project Hiter as part of the program’s future core—not just a recruit. That included Underwood’s appearance and a weekend designed around family access, player development, and culture immersion.

While the Bryce Underwood photo grabbed attention, Michigan’s deeper play was about continuity. Hiter later explained, “I feel like I’m a priority for them. They are a big program for running the ball. You saw it this year. They have a history of great running backs coming out of there like Blake Corum, who is from Virginia. I could see myself running in a Michigan jersey.”

While Savion Hiter is yet to confirm his next home, one thing is certain: the financial side of his decision is shaping up to be substantial. The Mineral (Va.) Louisa County product is expected to command a package in the $600,000 to $800,000 range in Year One. Both programs have flexed their NIL muscle in recent months—Tennessee reportedly offered $1 million to flip five-star Tristen Keys from LSU, while Michigan stunned the college football world with a $12 million deal for Underwood. In the end, this recruitment may come down to a mix of vision, relationships, and business.