Southeast Michigan already has a ‘Sonic and Knuckles’ running back duo but Michigan football is hoping to have one of its own outside of the Detroit Lions.
The Wolverines are looking to lure two high-end tailbacks in the 2026 class to Ann Arbor in Mineral (Va.) Louisa County five-star Savion Hiter and Forney (Tx.) four-star Javian Osborne. The maize and blue have pitched both on the idea that they could both come and star in winged helmets, and both seem receptive.
But how receptive?
On Wednesday, the latter, Osborne, put out his list of top 10 schools and Michigan football did make the cut, along with Texas, Oregon, SMU, Texas A&M, Georgia, Florida State, Tennessee, Alabama, and Notre Dame.
NEWS: Four-Star RB Javian Osborne is down to 10 Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 5’9 195 RB from Forney, TX is ranked as a Top 5 RB in the ‘26 Class (per On3)
Where Should He Go?⬇️https://t.co/8C6ki3HvmG pic.twitter.com/QTa5vtfWYm
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 8, 2025
Though Osborne does have one 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction indicating he’ll end up at Texas, Michigan is his perceived leader at this time (same for Hiter).
Here is how Osborne ranks according to the recruiting services:
| * | Ovr | Pos | St | |
| 247Sports Composite | 4 | 67 | 4 | 8 |
| On3 Industry Ranking | 4 | 74 | 6 | 20 |
| 247Sports | 4 | 121 | 8 | 16 |
| On3 | 4 | 61 | 5 | 6 |
| ESPN | 4 | 68 | 5 | 5 |
| Rivals | 4 | 75 | 3 | 12 |
It’s unclear when he or Hiter will make decisions about their future, but as long as the Wolverines keep the pedal to the metal, they should end up in a good spot with both.