Why Kyle Whittingham’s excited about DE Carter Meadows, RB Savion Hiter

With it being National Signing Day, Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham spoke with Mike Hall on the Big Ten Network. Whittingham was asked about two of Michigan’s signees (who committed in December), running back Savion Hiter and defensive end Carter Meadows.

Carter Meadows

• Whittingham on Meadows: “Big, good-looking young man. 6-foot-7, one of the top defensive ends in the country, if not the top. Tremendous athlete. The length, as I mentioned, is a big positive for him. Had some good conversations with Carter. Young man out of Maryland. And we’re excited to get him here in June.”

Meadows ranked as the No. 9 overall recruit in the 2026 class and the No. 1 player out of Washington, DC, per the 247 Sports Composite Rankings. Meadows had 62 tackles as a senior with seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

Michigan hasn’t really had an edge rusher like Meadows, who is tall with a massive wingspan and possesses great burst and power. Meadows has a style reminiscent of Jevon Kearse, whose nickname is “The Freak.” While Meadows is just a freshman, he could receive a steady amount of snaps this season as a rotational piece behind John Henry Daley and Cam Brandt. If Meadows fares well early in the season, he’d be hard to keep off the field. If his film winds up looking anything like how he played in high school, Meadows will be a collegiate star.

Savion Hiter

• Whittingham on Savion Hiter: “Savion, maybe the best back coming out this year. He was a tremendously highly rated player, and he’s here now. He’s doing a great job, we’re in the workouts, and he’s doing very well. Really excited to see what he can do in spring ball.“

With Justice Haynes transferring to Georgia Tech, Hiter could have a significant role behind RB1 Jordan Marshall. Hiter, a five-star prospect, ranked as the No. 21 overall player in the 2026 class and No. 2 running back. Hiter missed three games last season and still rushed for 1,440 yards and 24 touchdowns in his senior season. Hiter looks like a bruising running back that also possesses elite speed. He was bigger, faster, and stronger than his high school competition and would either blow past defenders in the open field or truck them instead.