Michigan running-back room a team strength heading into season

Michigan running back Savion Hiter should carve out a role as a freshman in the fall.

All eyes are on Hiter, who is 6-foot, 210 pounds, entering this season. Fans got a glimpse during the spring game when he ran for 44 yards on 10 carries. During his high school career, Hiter rushed for 1,445 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior and 156 times for 1,698 yards with 26 touchdowns during his junior season.

“He's a really good player and even a better kid,” Alford said. “His mom and dad have done an amazing job, and grandmother, brothers and sisters, a lot of people in his supporting cast, that have been amazing as far as helping him develop as a young man as he. He's a really good player and excited to have him.”

Alford is not one to compare players, but he said Hiter’s future is bright.

“I don't think that's fair to try to compare him to anybody,” Alford said. “He's his own young guy and his own player, and he's got to continue to work for him to be the best version of himself, which is what he wants to do. But he's got a huge upside. He's a very talented kid, and likes to compete, and he loves ball, so it's good to have him.”

The running backs have embraced Hiter and helped him ease into the room as an early enrollee freshman.

“Those guys have really taken him in and tried to try to help him, train him and be voices of reason, like a big brother to him,” Alford said. “He's got to be receptive of that, too, which he has been, so it's been a really seamless transition for him.”

Alford was one of three coaches Whittingham, hired last December after he spent the last 21 seasons as Utah head coach, retained. Special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs returns, and defensive line coach Lou Esposito also returned from last year’s staff, but then left for a position on the Baltimore Ravens’ staff.

There’s a lot new about Michigan’s staff, not to mention the schemes on offense and defense, but Alford said there has never been a hiccup in the transition from last year’s staff to this almost entirely new group.

“The staff has been very open arms," Alford said, "and embraced me.”

He also continues to work with analyst Fred Jackson, a longtime assistant coach who has spent 28 years coaching at Michigan.

“Fred was a mentor of mine when I started, so it's really cool when you think about there’s 75 years, give or take, of coaching experience,” Alford said. “Freddie is very dear to me and means a lot to me on and off the field, and so I'm very appreciative to have him around every day. I know how fortunate I am to have him around me every day. He's got amazing value.”

achengelis@detroitnews.com

@chengelis

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan Wolverines running-back room a team strength