Wolverines Hold Breath: Five-Star RB Savion Hiter Delays Signing On Early National Signing Day

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While the University of Michigan football program celebrated a strong Early National Signing Day, officially welcoming nearly two dozen prospects into the 2026 class, one name remained conspicuously absent from the official signee tracker: five-star running back Savion Hiter.

The highly-touted prospect from Louisa County (Mineral, VA), ranked as the consensus No. 1 running back and a top-20 recruit nationally, had been the cornerstone of Michigan’s class since committing back in August. However, as the day progressed and the Letters of Intent (LOIs) flooded in, Hiter’s official signing was delayed, fueling speculation and anxiety among the Michigan faithful.

Commitment vs. Signature: A Subtle Difference

For months, Hiter’s pledge to the Wolverines, largely driven by his strong relationship with Head Coach Sherrone Moore and Running Backs Coach Tony Alford (who also recruited him heavily at Ohio State), was seen as ironclad. Hiter, known for his bruising, downhill running style and impressive breakaway speed (he rushed for nearly 1,700 yards in his junior season), is viewed as a foundational piece for Michigan’s offense as they continue to emphasize a dominant run game.

In recruiting, a verbal commitment is non-binding, while the signed Letter of Intent is the official document that seals the deal. The decision by Hiter not to sign on the first day of the Early Signing Period—a day many top commits use to finalize their recruitment—does not mean he has flipped his decision, but it does leave the door ajar for the aggressive pursuit that rival programs are known to conduct up until the last minute. The Wolverines’ staff remains confident, but the pressure mounts with each passing hour. A signature now is crucial to ward off final, desperate recruiting pitches from contenders.

The Late Push from Rivals

Sources indicate that while Hiter's commitment to Michigan has been steady, rival programs, particularly those from the SEC like Tennessee and Georgia, have utilized the time leading up to signing day for intense, final contact. Both schools were in Hiter’s final four and are known to be exceptional at running back development. Reports suggest high-level coaches from competing institutions have been relentlessly communicating with Hiter and his family since the dead period ended.

The delay, while potentially as simple as an administrative scheduling issue or a desire to hold a signing ceremony closer to the traditional February date, allows the narrative of a potential flip to persist. For a program coming off a season with multiple RB injuries, having a five-star centerpiece like Hiter is vital not only for the roster depth but also for the momentum and perception of the recruiting class.

Coach Moore and the staff have successfully secured a large portion of the class, including other top prospects, but until Hiter's signature is in hand, a cloud of uncertainty will linger over what is otherwise a stellar haul. The Wolverines will now work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure their star running back officially becomes a Wolverine, hopefully sealing the deal before the late signing period in February, or in the coming days.

For Michigan fans, the official announcement can’t come soon enough. The wait continues for the final, definitive stamp on the best running back in the 2026 class.

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