Somebody cue the sirens in Ann Arbor because Michigan might be fumble-losing their grip on the best back in the 2026 class. For months, it looked like the Wolverines were in the game to get two top-10 running backs. Well, with Notre Dame snagging Javian Osborne, one already slipped away to their rivals, and now the other, the golden goose—Savion Hiter—is suddenly taking strolls through Knoxville and locking in visits with Ohio State and Georgia.

Just a few weeks back, Michigan was leading the race to onboard the 5’11”, 180 lbs running back. But still, Hiter was not ready to make a decision until his four official visits to Tennessee were not done, per Josh Newberg of On3. Hiter’s last week’s surprise visit to Knoxville only made the Vols’ case stronger, because, as per Savion, his Friday visit was electric.

“I mean, people are just together as a family, cheering for everybody and everybody rooting for Tennessee… I expected big out of Tennessee, and I got what I expected,” Hiter said via Austin Price of On3. Before the 5-star running back makes his final decision before the deadline on July 31, the Vols will have an edge with his last visit being at Tennessee on June 20. And if recent reports are anything, Michigan fans better tighten up, ‘cause Tennessee just swerved heavy into this recruitment, and Josh Heupel is going all orange on Savion Hiter.

The alarms started ringing louder on May 26 when Michigan insider EJ Holland dropped by On3’s recruiting show and let the tea spill all over the table. When asked if Michigan still had the upper hand, Holland didn’t sugarcoat it. “Yeah, you know, Michigan’s been considered the front-runner for several months now… but this recruitment has grown tighter,” he admitted. And the reason? Self-imposed silence. Michigan basically ghosted Hiter for a month due to their two-year-old scouting scandal, while other schools, especially Tennessee, used that quiet time to jump in with full volume.

Hiter didn’t just visit Knoxville this spring—he popped up there again this past weekend like a surprise headliner. And now, according to Holland, the Vols are straight-up surging. “I’ve always considered Tennessee a real dark horse here. I remember having discussions with our national analyst Chad Simmons a couple of weeks ago, and I was like, ‘Hey man, don’t, you know, put Tennessee out of the picture. I think Tennessee is a real contender.’ He shows up at Tennessee again, and you can see that the Volunteers are gaining steam. They get him on campus for his last OV.” Holland warned. All this, while Michigan is stuck trying to regain momentum with a June visit. It’s like they paused the game, and Tennessee kept pressing turbo.

To be clear, Michigan’s still got juice. Running backs coach Tony Alford has been on Hiter’s case since the kid was a freshman, back when Alford was still at Ohio State. That relationship matters. So does Michigan’s reputation for producing hard-nosed, league-ready backs. And Hiter’s mom? She’s already said the Wolverines “set the bar really high.” But guess what? Bars can be raised—or dropped—real quick when other schools are showing love in real time.

Hiter’s numbers last season at Louisa County were stupid good: 1,698 rushing yards on just 156 carries. That’s almost 11 yards a touch, 26 touchdowns, plus another 199 receiving yards. He’s got highlight-reel speed, a linebacker’s toughness, and vision that makes defenders look goofy. Oh, and he plays defense too. 56 tackles, 7 sacks, and even snagged a pick. Kid’s not just a five-star—he’s a five-tool weapon.

But let’s talk buzz. The latest On3 prediction machine says Ohio State’s got a 27% shot at landing him. Georgia’s creeping at 23.6%, Tennessee’s flirting hard with 17.4%, and Michigan? They’re sitting back at a cool 14.5%. That’s a steep slide for a program that used to have the inside track.

Savion Hiter’s weekend visit to Knoxville

If folks in Knoxville felt a different type of energy last weekend, it wasn’t the heat—it was the Vols turning the recruiting temperature all the way up. Savion Hiter rolled into town for the surprise 865 Live event, and let’s just say he wasn’t there for the weather. The visit caught eyes for one big reason: Tennessee is getting its last official visit in June—right before the NCAA-mandated dead period. Translation? They’ll be the last voice in his ear before decision time.

He showed up Friday night and was in deep with the Tennessee staff through the weekend. This wasn’t just a drive-by. Hiter had already been on campus in early April and saw Tennessee take on Kentucky last November. And that game? Yeah, he called the atmosphere “electric.” In his own words: “I expected big out of Tennessee, and I got what I expected.” That’s a legit interest.

What’s really moving the needle for Tennessee is De’Rail Sims, the second-year RB coach who’s been vibing with Hiter heavy. Word is, their bond is getting real solid, and Sims has been making his case strong. The Vols also know what they’re doing with high-stakes visits. Getting the last shot before the dead period could mean everything, especially with how emotional and momentum-driven these recruitments get late.

Tennessee’s plan is crystal. They’re stacking visits: Ohio State the weekend of May 30, Georgia on June 6, Michigan on June 13, and Tennessee locking in on June 20. Now tell me that ain’t strategic. That June 20 weekend? That’s prime time. If they hit that visit out of the park, they might just steal this recruitment right out from under Michigan’s nose.

And let’s be real here—Tennessee’s stock is rising like Dogecoin in 2021, despite losing Nico Iamaleava. Josh Heupel has the offense humming, NIL backing strong, and the 865 Live event was basically a recruiting rave. The vibe was immaculate, and Hiter felt it. Analysts are starting to agree: Tennessee is no longer a dark horse; they’re in the front row, eyeing the finish line.

Meanwhile, Michigan is scrambling to regain traction. They’re hoping that once they finally get Hiter back on campus in mid-June, they can reestablish themselves as the favorite. But this ain’t the spring anymore—things have changed. Other schools are talking big business now. NIL packages, playing time projections, brand opportunities. That stuff hits different when you’re a five-star with the entire country chasing you.

And then there’s Ohio State—yeah, they’re still very much in this. Hiter is set to take his official to Columbus soon, and Tony Alford leaving OSU for Michigan gives this recruitment another weird twist. If the Buckeyes start pushing hard and get the NIL details right, they could flip the narrative fast. Especially if Hiter starts feeling that old-school Buckeye love again.

Bottom line? This recruitment is entering its wildest phase. Whoever wins this one… They’re getting a future All-American. But right now, Michigan’s lead is not safe, and Sherrone Moore just got put on full alert by a surprise visit and a southern storm that’s heating up fast.