Elite RBs Javian Osborne, Savion Hiter could be Michigan's own version of Sonic and Knuckles

Detroit Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery took the NFL by storm this season and earned the moniker Sonic and Knuckles.

Just down the road in Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan is looking to land its own dynamic running back duo in elite 2026 ball carriers Javian Osborne and Savion Hiter.

Osborne, the No. 6 running back and No. 74 overall prospect nationally, has a magnetic personality and flashy running style that embodies Dallas, Texas. Osborne plays just 20 miles away from the bright lights of the ‘Triple D’ skyline and makes highlight plays every Friday night.

At 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, Osborne is similar to Gibbs and could definitely operate under the same Sonic nickname. After all, Osborne runs a sub-11 100-meter and brings plenty of speed to go along with elite vision and underrated power between the tackles.

“He’s a complete back,” said Osborne’s private running back trainer, Brandon Williams. “He’s physical. He can block. He blocked with one hand with a cast on. He can catch out of the backfield. He can run between the tackles. He’s very explosive and makes smart decisions on the field. He can read the defense as well. He has major upside.”

More than 1,000 miles away, you’ll find Hiter, the No. 1 ranked running back and No. 21 overall prospect nationally, in the small town of Mineral, Va. The population is just 512 and is about as country as you can get.

Hiter, who said he hangs out at gas stations for fun, shies away from interviews and is all about hard work. At 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, Hiter is built like a tank and ran over defenders all season long at Louisa County. Like Montgomery, you can call him Knuckles. But the scary thing is Hiter also brings explosiveness and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.  

“Savion Hiter has a chance to be a true, every down all-purpose back,” said On3 rankings assistant Cody Bellaire. “You can use him in every facet of the game. He does a great job inside the tackles and in the passing game. He can be a big factor on all three downs for Michigan.”

This past week, Hiter and Osborne had the opportunity to share the same backfield at the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando.

It could be a sign of things to come for Michigan fans as Hiter and Osborne both said U-M was at the top of their respective lists during the media day portion of the event.

“We can be a Sonic and Knuckles duo,” Osborne said. “He has that power as a running back. He can run kids over and run them over, too. It would be great to play with a guy like that…. He’s not a man of many words, but he’s very cool and humble like me. It’s been a joy competing with him and being alongside him.”

Hiter shared similar sentiments.

“It was good to chop it up with him,” Hiter said. “We talked when we visited Michigan, and now, our bond is growing stronger. It would be a great combination at Michigan. I believe the same thing — it would be like Sonic and Knuckles.”

Michigan’s very own version of Sonic and Knuckles. It sounds like a dream.

But it could very well be a reality come signing day.

“You might see something in the future,” Osborne said with a laugh.