Fresh off landing Savion Hiter, Tony Alford talks big-time recruits, victory cigars: ‘This block M is amazing’

Michigan Wolverines football is rolling on the recruiting trail, and just landed a huge commitment ahead of the 2025 season, with Mineral (Va.) Louisa County five-starSavion Hiter — the No. 1 running back in the 2026 class — pledging last week.

Running backs coach Tony Alford, of course, headed up the recruitment, leading the way as the Maize and Blue beat out Tennessee, Ohio State, Georgia and many others.

“This place, this block ‘M’ is amazing — and it’s different,” Alford said of what Michigan has to offer. “And it’s one thing to say it’s different, and every school you go to, the coaches say, ‘we’re different. We’re different.’ I think the young men and their families need to really come here to experience it.

“This place is different. The people are different. Our staff is different. Our head coach [Sherrone Moore] damn sure is different. And especially our young people, when they sit in the room with him, they walk out like, ‘Yeah, that guy’s a real one.’

“… Just his genuine approach. A lot of guys say they love the players. This guy truly loves every player in that locker room. And his approach, and the way he treats our players, the way he reacts to them — and, more importantly, how they react to him. He’s just such a genuine human being, and he wears that on his sleeve. The players, parents and recruits, recruits’ families and coaches see that, and I think they appreciate that about him. I know I sure do.”

Alford spent nine years at Ohio State, before leaving the Buckeyes’ staff to work for Moore at Michigan. At his press conference Wednesday, Alford was asked about what the Wolverines have to sell to recruits — not about Ohio State — but he figured the inquiry may have had to do with comparing his old and new school.

“I hope that answers your question. You wanted me to say something really bad about that other place? I’ll say it, yeah, we’re better,” Alford said, before laughing. “There you go. Now, I’m gonna get crucified for that. That’s alright.”

Alford’s night last Tuesday — the day Hiter committed — was alright, too. Known for smoking victory cigars, Alford and some of his coworkers lit some up in celebration.

“Any cigar is my favorite,” Alford said with a smile, when asked what he likes best.

Alford credits the entire Michigan football program for landing big-time recruits like Hiter — not just the lead recruiter.

“When you get a big-time recruit to sign, it’s not just one coach, it’s a multitude of people that have worked with that,” Alford said. “I can say for this staff here and the people within this building, they’re all involved. There are a lot of people who touch these players’ lives every single day.

“The one thing that is continually said and preached about is how there’s a great alignment, from the nutrition staff, the strength staff, the training staff, to the coaching staff, to recruiting. We’re all aligned in what we’re saying to these young people that come here — and you can’t fake that. Everyone’s alignment is important.

“But when we get a big-time recruit to say they’re coming here and then eventually get them here, that’s a win for everybody, because there are a lot of people that are involved with that, and it started way back when. 

“Kudos to the culture, but I believe it starts with the head coach and the culture that he’s built.”