The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2024 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ 34 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2024 BY EJ HOLLAND Jordan Marshall was the biggest win of the 2024 recruiting cycle in more ways than one. The highly touted running back out of Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller is Michigan's only Top 100 signee, per the On3 Industry Ranking. His com- mitment signified a shift in the great- est rivalry in college football, with the Wolverines beating out Ohio State in a head-to-head battle for a prospect in enemy territory. And Marshall filled a huge need following two cycles of lack- luster recruiting at the running back position. "This was a no-brainer for me," Mar- shall said. "The first time I walked into Michigan, I knew it was something spe- cial. "It's truly the people. The people around the program are very special. Everybody does a great job. Everybody around the program makes such a big difference. I want to be around them. It's a feeling like none other. To be able to walk in there every day is going to be amazing." Marshall gave Michigan a verbal commitment in March 2023. At the time, his recruitment was considered a heated one between Michigan and Ohio State. Yes, the Wolverines had beaten the Buckeyes in back-to-back seasons, but OSU still kept its elite targets at home. While former co-defensive coordi- nator and area recruiter Steve Clink- scale made some headway in Ohio by landing a handful of under-the-radar prospects, Michigan had yet to land a big fish. Until Marshall. "People were shocked," Marshall said. "People thought I was going to Ohio State because I'm a kid from here. But it was about what was best for me. My family supported me. You're going to have people that hate because you're not going to their school. I'm just ex- cited that I'm going to Michigan. I get to play ball at a school that I love." One of Marshall's biggest supporters was his mother, Amy Allphin. As Mar- shall mentioned, the people at Michi- gan made the biggest difference in his recruitment, including lead recruiter and U-M running backs coach Mike Hart. Hart was able to build a personal re- lationship with both Marshall and All- phin. And at the end of the day, Hart's genuine, straightforward approach helped win them over. "Coach Hart is like family to us now," Allphin said. "We check in and talk to him quite often. When you meet people like him, you're just able to click with them immediately. "Even outside of recruiting, he's one of those people who always asks how Jordan is doing. Not just football-wise either but life in general. We talk at least once a week." In Marshall, Michigan is getting one of the premier running backs nation- ally as well as one of the most deco- rated Ohio high school players in recent memory. Marshall, the No. 87 overall pros- pect and No. 4 running back nation- ally, finished his high school career with nearly 5,000 yards rushing and 80 Ohio Mr. Football Jordan Marshall Goes Blue 2024 Projection The Michigan backfield returns Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings. Those two will eat up the majority of the carries this season. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see Marshall take over RB3 du es as a true freshman. He's too good to keep off the field and could get plenty of meaningful touches if Edwards or Mullings gets nicked up. Marshall is also above average in pass protec on, which is a plus for a young back. Marshall will likely take over as the full- me starter in his second year. He has the skill set to be an every-down back and future lead rusher for the Wolverines. As the No. 87 overall prospect and No. 4 running back nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking, Marshall is Michigan's lone Top 100 recruit in the 2024 cycle. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY