During the second half of a game at Raymond James Stadium, Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore was seen passionately shouting from the sidelines during their matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Meanwhile, the state of Michigan is thriving in football on multiple levels. The Detroit Lions boast the league’s top rushing duo, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, often referred to as the “Sonic and Knuckles” of the NFL. This dynamic pairing has inspired Michigan football fans, many of whom also support the Lions, to imagine a similar combination at the collegiate level.
Michigan is heavily focused on its 2026 recruiting class, particularly targeting two highly ranked running backs: Savion Hiter and Javian Osborne. Hiter is the top-ranked running back in the 2026 class, according to 247 Sports, while Osborne holds the #5 spot. The Wolverines are aggressively recruiting both athletes and have made significant strides in building relationships with them.
Recently, both Hiter and Osborne spoke with EJ Holland of On3 about their potential to play together. Osborne shared his thoughts on the possibility, describing the pairing as a “Sonic and Knuckles duo.” He praised Hiter’s power and ability to run over defenders, adding that their complementary styles could create something special at Michigan. Osborne also noted that Hiter is a humble and cool individual, much like himself, which has made competing and bonding with him a great experience.
Hiter echoed Osborne’s sentiments, expressing enthusiasm about the idea of teaming up at Michigan. He mentioned that their relationship has grown stronger since their visits and conversations, and he believes they could form an exceptional backfield for the Wolverines. Comparing their potential partnership to Sonic and Knuckles, Hiter highlighted the unique combination of skills they would bring to the field.
For Michigan football fans, who already enjoy the success of Montgomery and Gibbs with the Lions, the prospect of Hiter and Osborne joining forces offers an exciting glimpse into the future. With Michigan’s persistent recruiting efforts, this dream duo might soon become a reality.