Michigan football could land two top-three running backs in class of 2026

Michigan football has a chance to have the best college running back duo in the country in a few years. Both Javian Osborne (Forney, Texas) and Savion Hiter (Mineral, VA) have Michigan at the top of their respective lists, according to On3 ($). Among 2026 running backs, Osborne is ranked as high as third (Rivals) and Hiter is the top recruit on 247Sports and On3. 

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Javian Osborne, Savion Hiter name Michigan as top school

Osborne and Hiter shared the backfield for the first time at the Under Armour All-America game in Orlando last week. The duo talked about what it would be like to join forces in Ann Arbor.

“We can be a Sonic and Knuckles duo,” Osborne told On3. “He has that power as a running back. He can run kids over and run them over, too. It would be great to play with a guy like that…. He’s not a man of many words, but he’s very cool and humble like me. It’s been a joy competing with him and being alongside him.”

Michigan fans are likely happy to hear they could have their own version of the Detroit Lions’ dominant backfield.

“It was good to chop it up with him,” Hiter told On3. “We talked when we visited Michigan, and now, our bond is growing stronger. It would be a great combination at Michigan. I believe the same thing — it would be like Sonic and Knuckles.”

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