It got a little stressful late, but for Michigan football it was well worth the wait.Savion Hiter, a five-star running back from Louisa County (Mineral, VA), officially signed with the Wolverines early in the morning on Thursday, Dec. 4. From the sounds of it, some of the last minute paperwork and NIL structure needed some T’s crossed and I’s dotted – which is why he didn’t enter the fold on Wednesday – but in the end, the Wolverines were able to lock in one of the most prolific offensive weapons coming out of high school in recent years.Hiter has been committed to U-M since mid-August – coincidentally, on Bryce Underwood’s 18th birthday.Hiter is the No. 1 running back in the nation, the top player in Virginia and the No. 9 overall player in the Class of 2026 regardless of position. He’s the second-highest rated player in the class, trailing only five-star edge Carter Meadows (No. 6 overall).”A potential star for a College Football Playoff contender as he brings the total package to the table with his burst, power, agility, balance and vision,” wrote 247sports director of scouting Andrew Irvins. “Simply no match for high school competition as he moves at a different speed than others.”Built to handle inside work with a muscled-up frame that’s already carrying 200 pounds, but can hit home runs with his acceleration.”SIGNING DAY: Meet Michigan football’s top-11 2026 recruiting classMichigan nearly had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in 2025 if it not for injuries. The question now is will both decide to stay in Ann Arbor as Hiter enters the fold? Hiter has drawn comparisons to Omarion Hampton – who starred at North Carolina under current U-M offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. The 17-year-old should compete for playing time immediately, as his numbers (1.52 10-yard split, 4.12 shuttle, 36-inch vertical jump) astound.There’s an argument to be made he could end of as the best offensive player in this class.”Should be viewed as one of the top running back prospects to emerge from the prep ranks in recent years given what he has put on tape,” Irvins wrote. “Type of talent that is tracking to provide valuable minutes right away.”Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football signs 5-star running back Savion Hiter