Jordan Marshall keeping the standard high for Michigan’s backfield

CHICAGO — There’s denying that the Wolverines are one of the nation’s best football teams at running the ball, and their leading-returning rusher believes they can dominate this fall.

Michigan continues to field elite running backs throughout this decade, including Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, so Jordan Marshall intends on keeping the wheels rolling. Although he had to split carries with Justice Haynes last season, Marshall still made his mark on the Big Ten, and finished strong down the stretch.

He rushed for a jaw-dropping, 631 yards, and seven touchdowns over Michigan’s final five games of the regular season. Not to mention Marshall averaged 6.21 yards per carry, which ranked second in the Big Ten, and 14th in the FBS. After finishing 2025 with second-team, All-Big Ten honors, the Ohio native is ready to build on that production.

With Kyle Whittingham taking over the program, and Haynes transferring to Georgia Tech, Marshall expects his workload to increase, and so far he’s impressing the new coach.

“He (Whittingham) does say I’m one of the best leaders he’s been around, which honestly I think is one of the best compliments you can get,” Marshall said. “I’m a great leader, and a great person, and that’s what makes me happy.”

Marshall understands that he’s the general of the running back room now, and there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with the territory. Still, Marshall enjoys guiding the younger rushers, including true freshman phenom Savion Hiter, who he believes will make an immediate impact in the backfield.

“He (Hiter) came to Michigan knowing that there were guys in front of him, and that’s when Justice was here,” he said. “So for a guy like that, a five-star guy to be humble, want to just work and not say anything, that’s when you respect somebody, and that’s how you earn respect.”

Whittingham pounded the ball a lot at throughout his 20-year tenure at Utah, and Marshall thinks that’ll remain Michigan’s identity on offense. Marshall is fine with being the Wolverines’ workhorse, or a running back-by-committee approach because there’s plenty of talent, and depth at the position.

Senior Bryson Kuzdzal showed his potential against Maryland last year, and rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Micah Ka’apana only carried the ball 10 times last season, but had a solid performance in the bowl game against Texas. Michigan ranked second in the Big Ten, and 14th nationally in rushing offense, and Marshall is confident the ground game will be a team strength again.

“We talk about this in the running back room, how you shouldn’t be able to tell who the running back is, or who’s in the game,” the 20-year old said. “There should be no drop off, there’s a standard of that running back position that was set before me, and you have to uphold that standard when your number is called.”

Michigan’s running back room is clearly a brotherhood in Marshall’s eyes, and everyone wants in on the action. Marshall doesn’t know if there’ll be enough carries to go around, but will make it a priority to lead by example on the gridiron.

“Leadership is also learning, and I think I’ve done a lot of that through the guys in that room.”