Tennessee football has fallen short to Michigan for the commitment of the No. 1 running back in the 2026 class. On Tuesday, the Wolverines picked up the commitment of five-star Savion Hiter, who picked Michigan over the Vols, Georgia and Ohio State.
Hiter ranks as the No. 9 player in the country, according to 247 composite rankings. He is the No. 1 running back in the class and No. 1 player out of Virginia. He is from Mineral, Virginia, where he plays for Louisa County. 247 lists him at 5-foot-11.5 and 200 pounds as he gears up for his senior season of high school football.
“Juiced-up running back with star potential for a College Football Playoff contender given the mix of his burst, power, agility, balance and vision,” 247 Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins wrote in January. “Has dominated the combine setting (1.52 10-yard split, 4.12 shuttle, 36-inch vertical jump) and is equipped with ready-to-play mass as he’s already tipping the scales at 200 pounds. Effective as both an inside and outside runner as he’s quick to chart a course and charge forward. Fast feet allow him to side-step trouble as he frequently dances around would-be tacklers in the backfield and turns negative plays into positive plays. Core strength and a lower pad level routinely negate arm tackles while full-speed cuts make it even harder for defenders to get him on the ground, especially when he breaks through the first wave of obstacles.”
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Hiter took official visits to each of his top schools over the summer. He began the stretch at Ohio State before hitting Georgia, then Michigan. He finalized his string of trips in Knoxville to see Josh Heupel and Tennessee on June 20. This gave the Vols the final word prior to his pending commitment.
Hiter was Tennessee’s priority running back target for the entirety of the 2026 recruiting process. The Vols were never seriously tied into any other backs and seemingly put all of their chips into landing the five-star.
If Tennessee does not land any running back in this class, it should still be deep at the position next year, though. Theoretically, UT will return Peyton Lewis, DeSean Bishop, Daune Morris and Justin Baker.
The Vols hold 22 commitments in a class that ranks as the 10th-best in the 2026 cycle, via 247. Tennessee has commitments from No. 1 overall recruit quarterback Faizon Brandon, offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda and athlete Salesi Moa as five-stars committed to the program.
Tennessee is also still in the mix for five-star interior offensive lineman Darius Gray, who will commit later this week. The Vols are strong after Tristen Keys as they attempt to flip the five-star receiver from LSU, as well.
