The recruitment of Michigan’s five-star target, Savion Hiter, takes a dramatic turn when Josh Heupel’s Tennessee team ruins the Final Four.

The Recruitment of Michigan’s Five-Star Target, Savion Hiter, Takes a Dramatic Turn When Josh Heupel’s Tennessee Team Ruins the Final Four

Recruitment season in college football often involves twists and turns that can change the course of a young athlete’s career. This time, it’s not just about who gets the star recruit but how programs make their case, build relationships, and sometimes, the shockwaves they send through the recruiting process. One such case is the dramatic shift that has taken place with five-star recruit Savion Hiter, a coveted prospect from the state of Georgia. Hiter, a dynamic wide receiver with game-breaking speed and athleticism, had long been a top target for Michigan. However, when Tennessee, led by head coach Josh Heupel, intervened in what looked like a battle between Michigan and several other suitors, they had the ability to disrupt the entire recruitment process in a manner that left many analysts stunned.

This article will take a deep dive into how Tennessee’s unexpected performance in the 2025 season Final Four impacted the recruitment of Hiter, and how Josh Heupel’s team, once considered a potential long shot, managed to pivot and seize the momentum in the recruitment of this highly sought-after recruit. Through strategic plays, savvy recruiting, and an undeniable connection with the player, Tennessee’s bid for Hiter is now one of the most intriguing storylines in college football recruiting.

Savion Hiter: A Star in the Making

Savion Hiter is everything you want in a wide receiver. With his combination of size, speed, and natural playmaking ability, Hiter is the type of athlete who can stretch the field and dominate in any offense. Throughout his high school career, he consistently showed flashes of brilliance—often making defenders look foolish with his ability to separate from coverage, pull away after the catch, and make spectacular plays in clutch moments.

A product of Georgia, one of the most talent-rich states in the country for football, Hiter has been considered a top prospect for years. By his junior year, he had already garnered attention from a who’s who of college football programs, including Michigan, Alabama, and Georgia. But Michigan was long considered the favorite, largely due to their tradition of developing top-tier wide receivers and their strong connection to the Atlanta recruiting pipeline.

Hiter’s commitment had long been expected, but as the 2025 recruiting cycle drew closer to its final stages, the recruiting battle began to shift. This turn of events coincided with the growing momentum of Tennessee’s program, under the leadership of Josh Heupel.

Tennessee’s Rise Under Josh Heupel

When Josh Heupel took over as Tennessee’s head coach in 2021, the program was struggling to find its identity after several years of underperformance. Heupel, known for his fast-paced, high-scoring offensive system, promised a new era for Tennessee football, and he delivered in his first couple of seasons. By 2025, Tennessee had gone from an afterthought to a legitimate contender in the SEC, making waves in both recruiting and on-field performance.

Heupel’s offense, which focuses on spreading the field and taking advantage of explosive athletes, was the perfect fit for a player like Savion Hiter. The Vols’ ability to showcase their high-powered offense in front of recruits—and to continue building strong relationships with top talent—was paying off. Tennessee’s 2025 season had begun with a bang, and the Vols were proving to be a force to be reckoned with.

By the time the season reached its Final Four in the College Football Playoff, Tennessee’s football program had already surpassed expectations. The offense was clicking, and the team had delivered several big wins over top SEC opponents. Most notably, they had defeated powerhouse Alabama and perennial contenders like LSU and Florida, showcasing their offensive versatility and the kind of high-octane football that recruits like Hiter were drawn to.

In addition to the on-field success, Tennessee’s strong recruiting pitch focused on developing players and allowing them to shine in a system that prioritized individual talent. Heupel’s reputation for developing quarterbacks and skill players—like Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt—had made a major impact on recruits, and that momentum played a critical role in Hiter’s recruitment.

Michigan’s Stronghold on Hiter’s Recruitment

For much of the recruitment cycle, Michigan seemed to be in the driver’s seat for Hiter’s services. Michigan’s established program under Jim Harbaugh, its storied history of wide receivers being developed into NFL prospects, and its ability to recruit in-state talent, all made them a formidable threat to any other school vying for Hiter.

Michigan’s program had long been seen as one of the top destinations for wide receivers, with recent players like Ronnie Bell and Cornelius Johnson serving as proof of the program’s success in developing future pros. Hiter was thought to be a perfect fit for Michigan’s offense, which leaned on a balanced attack with an emphasis on passing to dynamic playmakers on the outside.

As a result, the Wolverines were heavily favored to land Hiter. They had long cultivated relationships with the young prospect, including a series of visits, exclusive training sessions, and personalized recruiting efforts that painted a clear picture of how Hiter could make an immediate impact in their offense.

However, this status quo would soon be disrupted in dramatic fashion by an unexpected turn of events.

Tennessee’s Surprising Impact on Hiter’s Recruitment

As the Vols advanced through the College Football Playoff, eventually reaching the Final Four, the recruiting battle for Hiter took a surprising shift. The performances from Tennessee’s wide receivers, including breakout stars who were thriving in Heupel’s offensive system, began to make a real impression on Hiter. He could see firsthand the kind of explosive plays that were being made in Knoxville, and it didn’t take long for him to start to question his long-standing commitment to Michigan.

Hiter, who had long admired Michigan’s program, was suddenly intrigued by the idea of playing for a team that was arguably more dynamic offensively. Tennessee’s approach was no longer just a hypothetical; it was real, tangible, and successful. The Vols’ offense was electric, and Hiter began to realize that he could be the centerpiece of something special at Tennessee.

The defining moment in Hiter’s recruitment came during the Vols’ dramatic win in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Tennessee’s offense, led by quarterback Joe Milton, showcased an up-tempo, pass-heavy attack that lit up the scoreboard and left defenders gasping for air. The game was a shootout, but Tennessee’s ability to score at will was impossible to ignore. As Hiter watched from his living room, he saw an offense that was capable of making stars out of players—an offense where his skill set could shine in the brightest of lights.

Hiter’s thoughts began to turn toward the idea of playing for Heupel’s high-powered offense. He was no longer just a spectator; he was a potential game-changer for the Vols.

The Shift in Recruitment Dynamics

After Tennessee’s shocking run to the Final Four, Hiter’s recruitment was thrown into a state of flux. The Vols, once considered a fringe contender, were now a real player for Hiter’s commitment. Tennessee’s rise in the SEC and its on-field success had given Heupel’s program a huge recruiting boost, and the Vols made their move quickly.

Michigan, which had once been so confident in its ability to land Hiter, now found itself competing with a resurgent Tennessee program that had created a new sense of urgency for the prized recruit. The Vols’ ability to showcase their offensive philosophy, the development of their players, and the system that was designed to maximize talent had now given them an edge in the eyes of Hiter.