Bill Belichick, UNC pursuing one of Michigan Football's top recruiting targets

The Wolverines will have a fight on their hands for this dynamic tailback in the 2026 class...

North Carolina Tar Heels head football coach Bill Belichick addresses the crowd during halftime of a men's basketball game at Dean E. Smith Center. / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

One of Michigan Football's top targets in the 2026 recruiting class is being pursued by college football's newest head coach — NFL coaching legend Bill Belichick.

On Friday, Belichick traveled to Louisa County High School to visit with five-star Mineral (Va.) running back Savion Hiter, who has the Wolverines in his Top 5 and declared Michigan the leader in his recruitment one month ago.

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick visited 2026 No. 1 RB Savion Hiter today 🐏https://t.co/FYLLucqixN pic.twitter.com/4Mro1a4uIV

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) January 31, 2025

Belichick sent shockwaves across college football in mid-December when he agreed to become the head coach at North Carolina, despite having spent each of his previous 48 years of coaching exclusively in the National Football League. Yet, at 72 years old, Belichick is giving college football a try.

It will be interesting to see if Belichick can make any headway for the Tar Heels in Hiter's recruitment, after the five-star tailback declared a Top 5 that included Michigan, Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee and Penn State way back in August 2024.

According to On3's Industry Ranking, Hiter is considered the No. 21 overall prospect, No. 1 running back and No. 1 player from the state of Virginia in the 2026 recruiting class. The 5-foot-11, 182-pounder has long been a priority for the Wolverines, who's commitment to the run game should be appealing to the nation's top tailback prospect.

Savion Hiter, the nation's No. 1 RB in 2026, tells @SWiltfong_ that Michigan is his top school right now〽️

Read: https://t.co/w0wTe73nSh pic.twitter.com/OByJysV7TJ

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) December 29, 2024

- Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

More Michigan News:

• 'They're rolling in every way imaginable': CFB analyst high on Michigan Football's future

• CBS Sports grades Sherrone Moore's first year leading Michigan Football

• Recruiting: Michigan visits five-star, No. 1 overall recruit in 2026 class

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @WingedHelmetMedia
• Follow us on Facebook: @TheWingedHelmet
• Follow us on Twitter: @TWH_chris | @TrentKnoop  | @mlounsberry_SI | @JerredJohnson7