Michigan running back Jordan Marshall details spring goals, using last season as ‘motivation’, more

Even with 2025 No. 1 recruit Bryce Underwood expected to be under center for Michigan football this fall, running backs should remain a focal point of the offense. The last time Jordan Marshall was on the field, he ran for 100 yards in a ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama to cap-off his freshman season.

The Wolverines have since added former Crimson Tide running back Justice Haynes from the transfer portal, but Marshall should have a role regardless.

Why Michigan RB Jordan Marshall is motivated heading into sophomore season

Much like the rest of the country, Michigan is in the midst of spring football. The offseason is crucial for a player’s development, especially one coming off his first year. Marshall said the Wolverines have been getting after it in practice.

“… You couldn’t ask for more, and the competitiveness is through the roof, and the hungriness,” Marshall said. “Just to see the guys out there flying around, talking a little trash, but we’re playing ball and we’re excited to be out there and compete.”

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The bowl game was Marshall’s third appearance of the season, as Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards dominated touches throughout the regular season. Marshall was a four-star recruit coming out of Archbishop Moeller High (Cincinnati, OH) and stands at 5-foot-11, 210 pounds.

Marshall said the current running back room has a chance to go into the Michigan history books.

“This spring ball for me is to compete and become the best player I can be, and with the running back room we have and how good the room is, you do it every single day or you’re going to get left behind,” Marshall said. “I think that’s the good thing about it. We have the opportunity to be the best running back room in the country (and) one of the best that’s came through here.

“So how do we stack days, how do we keep competing at a high level, and (running backs) coach (Tony) Alford has done amazing with that. Making sure that we’re all right on each other’s trail and we’re feeding off of each other.”

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Marshall only touched the ball in games Michigan won last season (Northwestern, Ohio State, Alabama). However, he said the losses of 2024 give him an extra boost heading into the summer.

“That 8-5 (record) won’t happen again, and that’s why everybody’s hungry, that’s why we come in here with some motivation and some prep,” Marshall said. “Even myself, I don’t wanna go through that again. I hate to lose. I just want to ball out and be the best player I can be for this team, and whatever that role is, I’m gonna do it.”

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