2025 is officially here, and with this most of this recruiting cycle signed and bowl practices now over, the majority of recruiting energy for the Michigan Wolverines shifts towards the 2026 class.

To kick off the first edition of the Recruiting Roundup this year, we discuss one of the top ball carriers in the 2026 class showing interest in Michigan.

Five-star RB has Michigan at the top of his list

Five-star Savion Hiter, the top running back in the 2026 class who is ranked 14th overall in his class, told On3’s Steve Wiltfong Michigan is his top school at the moment, with Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee also being top contenders.

“Michigan, I’ve built a good relationship with coach (Tony) Alford and the entire staff really,” Hiter said in August when he put Michigan in his top five. “He first recruited me back when he was at Ohio State and he’s been solid ever since. He’s already been showing me how he could use me in their offense, develop me for the next level and gave me tools to work on and get better.”

Michigan has been a top destination for running backs, with Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum headlining what has been one of Michigan’s most talented position groups. When you combine that with the connection Hiter has made with Alford, things are certainly trending in the right direction.

Per Brian Dohn at 247 ($), Hiter plans to make official visits to all the schools listed above before making a decision. With official visit season several months away, be on the lookout for more news when those visits get scheduled.

Michigan competing with Texas for four-star RB

Hiter isn’t the only 2026 running back the Wolverines are pursuing, as Michigan is also going after four-star Javian Osborne.

Osborne was in Ann Arbor for the Texas loss in September, and while he’s got a 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction to commit to the Longhorns, he told On3’s EJ Holland last month he’s still high on the Wolverines.

He expanded on his Michigan interest earlier this week with On3’s Steve Wiltfong ($).

“No. 1, I love that they run the ball,” Osborne said. “They utilize their running backs. They use different schemes, zone, power whatever it is. I feel I can fit in. Since coach TA (Tony Alford) came in the building, he’s been on since the first day he came into the office.”

It appears Notre Dame, Alabama and Florida State are in the mix for the Texas native as well. After attending that game in September, the sheer size of the crowd at the Big House impressed Osborne. Another visit in that environment this fall for Osborne is — I would imagine — on Michigan’s to-do list.

“Definitely playing in front of 110,000 every game,” he said of what stands out about Michigan. “You know, that’s big time.”

Wiltfong wrote that Michigan “hold(s) the slightest of edges in a fluid process to date,” so it doesn’t sound like getting both Hiter and Osborne is out of the question.

Michigan among trio of visits for top uncommitted 2025 prospect

Four-star edge Zahir Mathis, the top-ranked uncommitted player in the 2025 class, has been a Michigan target since he de-committed from Ohio State in November.

He did not sign in December, so he is now set to take some visits before signing at his future school in February. Mathis told Dohn ($) Michigan is one of the three official visits he’ll be taking this month, with Michigan being his final destination from Jan 27-29. He will visit UCLA and Florida State prior to Ann Arbor.

“I have a real good connection with them,” Mathis said. “I’ve been having good conversations with them since the decommitment so everything has been going smooth.”

Holland ($) said head coach Sherrone Moore and defensive line coach Lou Esposito are leading the recruitment for the Wolverines. Mathis noted the production Michigan has gotten with that position is enticing for the Philadelphia native.

“With the edges they have there and the edges they had there, they all develop well,” Mathis said. “Each guy has high explosion, quick hands and fast feet like myself.

“I want to see a good bond between the players. I want to see how I can be evaluated with those players and break it down and make sure I’m getting playing time and make sure I’m doing the right things to get on the field.”