Name: Jordan Marshall
Height: 5'11″
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Cincinnati (OH) Moeller
Position: Running back
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #23
Last year: Marshall was a senior in high school (LINK). He ran for 1,550 yards, had 294 receiving yards, and scored 21 total touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 88
Marshall was perhaps the most prized recruit in the 2024 class, a 247 Composite top-100 player (#78 overall) who was very productive in high school. His offer list was solid (Ohio State, Oregon were included) but not amazing (no Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas, etc.). But what Michigan fans latched onto most was a perceived similarity to Blake Corum; both players have compact builds and a tough, tackle-breaking running style.
With two seniors at running back (Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings) and no clear-cut heir apparent, Marshall has a chance to stake his claim to the running back spot in 2025. That role could go to Benjamin Hall, who had an impressive spring game in 2023 but didn't play a ton during the season. It could also go to Tavierre Dunlap, a little-used player who seems to fit new running backs coach Tony Alford's personality than he did Mike Hart's. And then there's Cole Cabana, who barely played last year but has some upside with his speed and pass-catching ability. Regardless, my belief is that Marshall will have an expanded role in 2025 as either the #1 or #2 back, so I think it would be good to get him some carries in 2024. He's unlikely to pass up Edwards or Mullings, but he could be the #3 back, a slot which has averaged 42 carries over the past three seasons.
Prediction: Backup running back
Missing spring means we have little idea how he blocks at this level, or how he'll gel with teammates
ReplyDeleteHopefully by October he's earning PT, and showing glimpses (my bet is Hall or Dunlap will be RB3 in September)
RB#3 spot should be an interesting competition and, as Thunder notes, a glimpse into potential starting RB candidates in 2025. Though I'd bet on Portal if nobody pops in 2024.
ReplyDeleteFWIW my blind guess is that Marshall ends up at RB3 and ends up with something like 300 yards. We have a lot of options and it's not a critical job if your top 2 are healthy, but if Marshall has the talent some think he has I'd expect him to play a role as a freshman
DeleteThinking along the lines of freshman seasons like Derrick Green and Donovan Edwards. Not big role need like Chris Evans or Zach Charbonnet but maybe nibbling at the playing time of the top 2 (as Mullings did last year).
Delete