Michigan football is actively pursuing several top-tier running back prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, with three already ranked within the top 150 overall. Now, a fourth name has joined the mix—four-star California running back Brian Bonner, who recently included the Wolverines in his top eight schools.
Javian Osborne and Savion Hiter are two of the most highly regarded prospects on Michigan’s radar, both placing the Wolverines among their top five choices. Notably, Hiter, who was recently elevated to five-star status, is now ranked as the No. 1 running back in the 2026 class. Osborne and Hiter are both scheduled to visit Michigan over the summer, signaling strong interest in the program.
Meanwhile, Bonner, ranked No. 97 overall in the 247 Sports composite rankings, is also being considered a “warm” prospect for Michigan, per 247 Sports. At 6 feet and 185 pounds, Bonner brings elite speed to the table, having clocked a 10.65 in the 100-meter dash. He is currently ranked as the seventh-best running back in the class.
Bonner’s other finalists include powerhouse programs such as Notre Dame, Georgia, UCLA, Stanford, Washington, Penn State, and Nebraska. According to the On3 recruiting prediction machine, UCLA and Nebraska appear to be the frontrunners at the moment, primarily due to the number of visits he has taken to those schools.
In addition to Bonner, Michigan is also making a strong push for top-150 running back Deshonne Redeaux. While Osborne and Hiter appear to be Michigan’s top priorities at the position, both Bonner and Redeaux provide excellent backup options if the Wolverines need to pivot. Bonner, in particular, is a versatile playmaker who can contribute as both a runner and a receiver out of the backfield.
Michigan’s recruiting momentum continues to grow, as evidenced by a recent crystal ball prediction from recruiting expert EJ Holland of The Wolverine, projecting Osborne to land in Ann Arbor. However, Michigan is unlikely to take more than one or two running backs in this class, meaning competition for spots will be fierce as the recruiting process unfolds.
