During the 2026 Spring Game, Michigan Football's freshmen trioâTommy Carr, Savion Hiter, and Salesi Moaâimpressed with their performances, showcasing their potential for the upcoming season.
Key points
Michigan Football's Spring Game featured a low score of 7-6.
Freshmen Tommy Carr, Savion Hiter, and Salesi Moa showed significant potential.
Hiter is a five-star recruit and the best running back in the country.
Carr completed 21 passes for 143 yards and showcased his running ability.
The trio could be key to Michigan's success in the upcoming season.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - APRIL 18: Tommy Carr #14 prepares to hand the ball off to Savion Hiter #5 of the Blue Team during the first half of the Michigan Wolverines Football Spring Game at Michigan Stadium on April 18, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images for ONIT) | Getty Images for ONIT
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - APRIL 18: Tommy Carr #14 prepares to hand the ball off to Savion Hiter #5 of the Blue Team during the first half of the Michigan Wolverines Football Spring Game at Michigan Stadium on April 18, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images for ONIT) | Getty Images for ONIT
Spring games are hard to judge. When the Michigan Wolverines put on their pads for fans in the Big House a week ago, Michigan put up the *exciting* score of 7-6 after two-plus hours of light football. However, the score isnât to be taken as a direct prediction of how the season is going to go. The starting offensive line wasnât together, the offensive system was brand new for quarterback Bryce Underwood and the starting players only played one quarter to preserve their health.
But some things are hard to ignore, as all three of Michiganâs most hyped freshmen â quarterback Tommy Carr, running back Savion Hiter and wide receiver Salesi Moa â showed enough to make us feel good about where this program is headed.
When head coach Kyle Whittingham was asked if Hiter and Moa are two of the best freshmen heâs seen, he replied, âWithout a doubt. Theyâre both highly recruited, highly rated freshmen coming in. Both are just fresh out of high school. Theyâve only been here a few months. For being in the program for three months and very young, I thought they both did nice jobs today. Both of their futures are very bright.â
Hiter is easily the most hyped freshman for Michigan this season, being a consensus five-star high school recruit and the best running back in the country. The native rushed for 1,445 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior in high school, earning the Gatorade Player of the Year in Virginia and the MaxPreps Player of the Year in Virginia. Fast forward a few months, and Hiter was the second-leading rusher on the day for the Wolverines with 10 attempts for 44 yards.
The most impressive thing about Hiterâs performance wasnât the yardage, it was that he wouldnât go down with one tackler. Even on runs where he didnât get a ton of yards, he made something out of nothing, fighting through arm tackles, keeping his legs churning and refusing to go down easy.
âPlay very physical,â Hiter said of what he wants his game to look like, saying he looks at and as running backs he models his game after. âI mean, I feel like nobody can tackle me on the field. Thatâs what I have a goal of on every snap.â
Hiter isnât the only newcomer that the coaching staff are making noise for, as wide receiver Salesi Moa is another name that should be on everyoneâs radar. He was originally committed to Utah before eventually transferring over after Whittingham was hired. The unanimous No. 1 player in the state of Utah was a two-way contributor in high school, totaling 226 catches, 3,757 yards and 44 touchdowns across his four-year high school career on offense to go along with 128 tackles and five interceptions on defense.
Moa made some plays during the spring game, including a one-handed grab and 21 yards after the catch, finishing the afternoon with four catches for 26 yards. While the box score isnât eye-opening, he was open much more than he was given credit for, and his speed and elusiveness were fully on display.
If you were already content with two new, young contributors who can make an immediate impact on offense, Michigan may have a hidden-gem up its sleeve for the future in quarterback Tommy Carr.
The grandson of Lloyd Carr had the most snaps at quarterback in the spring game, and he did the most with the opportunity. He went 21-for-30 for 143 yards, with 10 carries for 67 yards. That is not to say he is going to take Underwoodâs job, but it does spark the conversation that Carr could be the quarterback of the future.
Carr his decision-making, an acute understanding of the scheme in a short period of time and he was able to display his running ability against talented defensive players. He was reading RPOs well, getting the ball out of his hands and cutting through the defense with his legs when the play broke down. If anything were to happen to Underwood during the season, the Wolverines may have found a reliable backup they are comfortable with starting â even at this point in his early career.
With Michigan looking to get back into College Football Playoff contention, mixing top young talent with established veterans around Underwood could be a turning point. Itâs been a while since Michigan has had multiple freshmen to be excited about at this point in the offseason. The hype is real for Hiter, Moa and Carr, and they are well on their way to being the faces of Michigan football for years to come.
Q&A
What were the standout performances from Michigan Football's freshmen in the 2026 Spring Game?
Tommy Carr, Savion Hiter, and Salesi Moa all had notable performances, with Hiter rushing for 44 yards and Carr completing 21 of 30 passes for 143 yards.
How did Savion Hiter perform during the 2026 Spring Game?
Savion Hiter had 10 attempts for 44 yards, showcasing his physical running style and ability to break tackles.
What is Tommy Carr's potential as a quarterback for Michigan Football?
Tommy Carr demonstrated strong decision-making and running ability, suggesting he could be a reliable backup or future starter for the Wolverines.
Why is the performance of Michigan's freshmen significant for the upcoming season?
The impressive performances of Hiter, Moa, and Carr could play a crucial role in Michigan's quest for College Football Playoff contention.
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