The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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52 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2023 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY ZACH LIBBY W ith 2024 Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller four-star running back Jordan Marshall committing on March 21, Michigan landed its highest-rated verbal commitment since cornerback Will Johnson in the 2022 cycle. Marshall pledged to the Wolverines just days after his fourth unofficial visit weekend in Ann Arbor in March, mak- ing his decision well ahead of his com- mitment timeline that was previously anticipated in July. On3 ranks Marshall as the No. 79 overall prospect and No. 6 running back in the country, as well as the No. 2 player in the state of Ohio for the class of 2024. Currently, the 5-foot-11 and 190-pounder is the lone commit in Michigan's 2024 recruiting class to be listed in the top 100 nationally. He also became the third Ohio native in the 2024 class to join the Wolverines. "I love Michigan," Marshall told The Wolverine. "Academically, they're amaz- ing. That's a big part of what I'm looking for. Then, [U-M running backs] Coach [Mike] Hart and I are really close. He's my guy. We're pretty much the same person. It's just really special knowing the connection that we have. Plus, they run that ball." Michigan formally offered Marshall back in the late spring of last year when he made his first visit to campus. He returned for a game-day appearance at The Big House to watch the win over Michigan State in October before earn- ing personal time with Hart on campus this January. Hart and Marshall spoke to each other over the phone and via text every day leading up to the commitment. The for- mer's history as a player at Michigan and his track record of development as an assistant coach helped lay the founda- tion for Marshall to come onboard. Hart, along with area recruiter and U-M co- defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale, also built close relationships with both of Marshall's parents. "Coach Hart and I just get each other," Marshall said. "We just click. It would be really cool to learn from him, and he knows a lot that would help me out a ton. "Outside of football, he tells me how it is, and is always there for me family- wise. It's really cool that we have such a great, open relationship." Marshall is headed into his third year with the Cincinnati prep powerhouse Archbishop Moeller, where he was named the Ohio Gatorade Football Player of the Year and nominated for the Mr. Ohio Football Award in 2022. Leading Moeller to the Ohio Division I semifinals last fall, Marshall compiled 161 carries for 1,290 yards (8.0 yards per carry) and 20 touchdowns. He also caught 16 passes for 278 yards and 4 touchdowns in the regular season. Marshall couldn't pass up the chance to play in a U-M offensive system that is committed to running the ball and the opportunity to learn under Hart, one the greatest running backs in program his- tory. In addition, he's already modeled his game after U-M All-American Blake Corum. "It's cool, especially when Michigan could be considered the new RBU," Mar- shall said. "They're producing a lot of great backs. Blake is a really high-profile type of guy. Just watching him and how he processes things, I can tell that how he moves, cuts off defenders and pushes them off. "Since watching him, I've learned to stay patient. Blake is really patient back there and doesn't go right away. That's something I've tried to perfect a lot. "It's a skill that I want to get better at — being patient on outside and zone schemes. That's something that I've seen him do really well and something that I can work on." ❏ Boom! U-M Lands Top-10 Running Back Jordan Marshall From Ohio Marshall, a 5-11, 190-pounder from Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, is ranked as the No. 79 overall prospect and No. 6 running back nationally, as well as the No. 2 rising senior in the state of Ohio by On3. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: Archbishop Moeller used a heavy-run style of offense in 2022 with Marshall as its feature running back. Methodical in-between the tackles and when finding the open hole, he is the prototypical north-south ball carrier. Shifty when cutting up field, always running with his head up and content with picking up 5 or 6 yards per carry, Marshall has compiled his impressive production against some of the best competition in Ohio. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Marshall doesn't have elite speed, but his exceptional lateral quickness, ability to break tackles and vision allow him to break out for significant gains. He can get tracked down by trailing defensive backs in the open field. He shows the ability to be a weapon in the passing game out of the backfield. MICHIGAN PLAYER COMPARISON: Blake Corum. There's room in Marshall's upper and lower half that will result in healthy weight being packed on once he begins training under strength and condi- tioning coach Ben Herbert. He shows the cutting ability and toughness to develop into an every-down running back like Corum. — Zach Libby