The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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R U N N I N G B A C K S 52 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY CHRIS BALAS J ordan Marshall knew what he was signing up for when he committed to Michigan following an outstanding prep career at Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller. Not only was the now-sopho- more Michigan running back defecting from his home state — some Ohio law- makers might consider that a criminal of- fense, right up there with planting the flag in the 'Shoe — but he was also going to a rival whose playing style better fit his own level of toughness. Marshall's emergence has gone exactly according to plan, minus some bumps and bruises that sidelined him for a few games in his freshman year. With seniors Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards un- available for the Dec. 31 ReliaQuest Bowl with Alabama, Marshall got the start as a true freshman against one of the top defenses in the country. His 23-carry, 100-yard performance served no- tice that the next Michigan great in the backfield might well have announced his arrival. It won't be given to him, how- ever — nor should it be. Though junior Benjamin Hall, once consid- ered a high-potential back, transferred to North Carolina this spring in search of more opportunity, the Wolverines added former Alabama four-star Justice Haynes in the offseason. He and Marshall were considered the 1A and 1B backs headed into sum- mer after both had great springs. Both backs also had their moments in the spring game, though they were limited. Marshall carried only 4 times for 9 yards, while Haynes notched 51 yards on 6 rushes. They bonded immediately when Haynes arrived on campus, Marshall said. "He's a really good back, a really good person," he said. "He values God just like I do, and it just clicked. It was easy. "We got out there laughing, joking. [Running backs coach Tony Alford] … all three of us are always cracking jokes and messing with each other. It's really light in our room because we can get on task really fast." Some backs are wary of competition, but both Marshall and Haynes insist they're in this together. Alford recruited both when he was at Ohio State, and Haynes recalled the coach connecting them immediately. "J-Marsh has been great," Haynes said. "That's like a little brother to me. I'm older than him, but he's been great. The whole running back room … I'm just very thank- ful and blessed the way that they've ac- cepted me, brought me in, been there for me. I'm very thankful to those boys, and I love them. I'll do anything for them." Who is No. 1 and gets the first carries has yet to be determined, but Marshall pre- dicted they'd rotate, understanding there are enough carries for both [and maybe more]. Former Michigan All-America of- fensive lineman Jon Jansen, now the color commentator on the radio broadcasts, saw most practices this spring. He left im- pressed with the top two options. "It really is 1A and 1B," he said. "If you took their numbers off and you didn't know which guy was which, you might get con- fused. They're built and run very similarly. "But I really like Jordan Marshall. I don't mean that to say I don't like Justice Haynes, but if Jordan can stay healthy … he's a guy that can catch the ball out of the backfield. He could be very similar to what they had with [recent Michigan back] Blake [Co- rum]. He runs hard. He's a terrific ath- lete. When he's on the field and you see him make adjustments, it just feels like he knows … he's got a good feel for the flow of the offense and the defense. "I like the one-two punch with those guys in the backfield." Potential Backups Still Have Plenty To Prove Though neither Marshall (one ca- reer start) nor Haynes (six) are proven No. 1s, few doubt their abilities to handle the load when called upon. Marshall proved himself with his workmanlike game against Alabama. Haynes, mean- while, put up 448 yards on 79 carries (5.7 average) in 2024 after showing flashes as a true freshman. It's a physical sport, though, and it often takes more than two. Someone is going to POTENT PAIR Sophomore Jordan Marshall And Transfer Justice Haynes Provide An Exciting One-Two Punch At Running Back Jordan Marshall had a breakout game in the final contest of his true freshman season, earning ReliaQuest Bowl MVP honors with 100 yards rushing on 23 carries in the 19-13 win over Alabama. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL RUNNING BACKS 22 Justice Haynes (5-11, 205), Jr. 23 Jordan Marshall (5-11, 210), So. 24 Bryson Kuzdzal (5-11, 198), Jr. 25 Micah Ka'apana (5-11, 190), So. 26 Donovan Johnson (6-0, 213), Fr. — CJ Hester (5-11, 195), Jr. — Jasper Parker (6-0, 211), Fr. — John Volker (6-0, 215), Gr.