​Michigan football should rightfully claim a top position group in college football when it comes to the run game, whether you’re eyeing the running back corps or the offensive line. Yet, when one prominent outlet published its ranking of the top running back rooms nationwide, the Wolverines were conspicuously absent from the list. CBS Sports’ Blake Brockmeyer compiled what he considered the top 10 running back units in the country, and Michigan did not appear among the selections. His top 10 included Texas Tech, Oregon, USC, Florida, Texas, Ohio State, Georgia, Missouri, and a few others, leaving Michigan off the frame despite the team’s recent production and depth.
Last season, even with two starting backs frequently grappling with injuries—Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall—the Wolverines still finished as the No. 14 rushing attack in the nation. That ranking put them ahead of most of the programs on Brockmeyer’s list, with the notable exception of Missouri. Looking ahead, Marshall is anticipated to be fully healthy, and he joins a stable of backs that includes former five-star Savion Hiter and Bryson Kuzdzal, who has been in and out of the lineup. The trio is set to operate in a run-first system under offensive coordinator Jason Beck, who has steered offenses to the No. 2 rushing attack in the country for two consecutive seasons at different programs. While this was a ranking of running backs, quarterback Bryce Underwood is also expected to contribute carries, ensuring the backfield will see a substantial share of the workload.
The expected rotation of tailbacks—Marshall, Hiter, and Kuzdzal—should at minimum be recognized as among the nation’s top groups. While Kuzdzal was not a highly touted recruit, Marshall carried a strong profile, ranked No. 53 overall by Rivals and recognized as the No. 2 running back in the country in his high school class. With Hiter positioned as the No. 1 tailback for the 2026 class, Michigan has a formidable duo, even if Hiter is relatively inexperienced at the college level. It’s possible that CBS Sports and Brockmeyer missed Michigan in their rankings, but one thing is certain: Michigan fans wouldn’t trade their running back room for any other in the country—certainly not for the 10 that did make the list.
This discussion underscores a broader truth about Michigan’s run game: the Wolverines have built a depth chart capable of sustaining a dominant ground attack. The combination of Marshall’s return to health, Hiter’s explosive potential, and Kuzdzal’s developing upside, all within a run-first offensive scheme, positions Michigan to vie for the top rushing outputs in 2024 and beyond. The offense, led by Beck, has shown an ability to generate robust rushing numbers, and the personnel at hand suggests sustained production is within reach. For fans and analysts alike, it’s clear that Michigan’s identity on the field remains centered on the ground game, even if a national list doesn’t always reflect that reality.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Did CBS Sports overlook Michigan football running backs?