Michigan Football 2026 position group breakdown: Running backs

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Michigan football has an identity. I don’t even need to say it — you’re probably already picturing it. October. Cold weather. Under the lights. Hand the ball off. Three-yard gain. Rinse and repeat. 

The Wolverines have made pounding the rock the cornerstone of their offensive brand as a football program. And that doesn’t look to be vastly different this year, as offensive coordinator Jason Beck looks to maintain the program’s run-first ethos off the backs of a strong run game.

But how strong? Well, let’s answer that question with a breakdown of the running back room.

The heavy-hitters — Savion Hiter, freshman; Jordan Marshall, redshirt sophomore

There are two different types of players in this category, but I’d be very excited about both of them.

Marshall is the “veteran” in relative terms. He shouldered much of the workload last year after an injury to Justice Haynes at USC, and his season stats are indicative of a true workhorse running back — 150 attempts for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns. His late-season surge was particularly promising, posting 110 yards or more in four of Michigan’s last five games. Marshall looks ready to be a true top option; he’s one of the Wolverines’ returners that is most primed for a big 2026 season.

Hiter is the opposite in terms of experience, but don’t let that deter you. He’s widely regarded as one of Michigan’s most exhilarating recruits in years. A five-star recruit and the No. 1 running back in the class, he’s already regarded as a model running back prospect with his blend of speed, power, balance and vision. At 6-foot and 210 pounds, he already packs a frame that’s going to cause a lot of defenders nightmares. I wouldn’t expect Hiter to be getting bell cow snaps immediately, but I would not be shocked if he and Marshall are splitting carries by the end of the year.

The next tier — Bryson Kuzdzal, redshirt junior

The clear third option behind Marshall and Hiter is Kuzdzal, and it makes sense why. He’s been on the roster since 2023, but his usage significantly rose last season, racking up 76 carries for 326 yards and four touchdowns, with a bulk of that production coming late in the season when Haynes and Marshall were banged up. He’s a runner in the bruising, tough-to-tackle, old school sense, which rounds out a committee nicely. 

Rounding it out — Donovan Johnson, sophomore; Tomas O’Meara, junior; Jonathan Brown, freshman

The next group is a bunch of names who I wouldn’t count on making their marks this year. Johnson and Brown have yet to play a snap for the Wolverines, with Brown being a true freshman and Johnson simply having seen no game time last season while recovering from a torn ACL. Off experience, I’d wager O’Meara earns the RB4 spot, but it’s very open from here.

Verdict

Perhaps this is a top-heavy group, and the grade reflects that. But when that “top” has potential to be one of the best 1-2 punches in the Big Ten in a run-first offense, I have reasons to feel very confident. The only thing that keeps this from being a straight “A” is Hiter’s inexperience.

GRADE: A-

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