Jordan Marshall adds to rivalry by joining Michigan over OSU
CINCINNATI (BVM) — The Michigan Wolverines have two of the top running backs in college football with Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum returning for the 2023 season. Michigan is continuing to add talented running backs for future seasons and one of them is Jordan Marshall, a four-star recruit at Archbishop Moeller and the No. 5 rated running back in the Class of 2024.
Marshall has been playing for the Crusaders since he was a freshman, but as a sophomore, his recruiting process took off.
“My first offer was from UC [University of Cincinnati],” Marshall said. “I went to a couple of game days because we were close to the Fickells, and me and a friend were on the field goofing around and the running backs coach pulled me to the side and offered me on the spot. It was special having that first offer come from UC. I called my mom right after and she started crying. It really was a blessing.”
With his first D-I offer in the books, the rest started to pour in. Marshall received offers from Wisconsin, Michigan, Tennessee, Oregon, Ohio State and others, but talking to programs took a toll on him.
“I really didn’t like the recruiting process,” Marshall said. “That’s why I committed early, and once you go through it, you really find the people that want you and the people that are just saying things, and at some point, you go all in, and that’s what I did.”
On March 21, he made his decision to head north and join Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines.
First of all, I just want to thank my mom and dad, family, friends, and the Moeller Community For supporting me. With that being said…I Will be Committing to the University of Michigan 💙💛 #GoBlue @CoachMarkElder @MHart2032 @Coach_SMoore @coachclink pic.twitter.com/M0pmKWYpg6
— Jordan Marshall (@J_MARSH2024) March 21, 2023
“It’s one of the best cultures I’ve been a part of,” Marshall said. “I’m not even there yet, but I still feel like I’m part of it.”
Choosing to join Michigan was significant because it meant that he would be suiting up for Ohio State’s archnemesis and he knows what the rivalry means to the state.
“I know when I get out there, especially when I play in The Shoe my freshman year, it’s going to be incredible,” Marshall said. “Kids from Florida and California don’t know what it’s about, but being from the Midwest, I know what it’s about and know what that feeling is.”
Marshall’s decision to leave surely hurt Ohio State fans and that includes his own grandfather.
“The last few times I’ve seen him, he’s been like, ‘Boy, you know I love you. It breaks my heart. I wanted you to go to Ohio State … I hope you go for 200 [yards] and lose to us,’” Marshall said. “He’s a goofball, but I love it, and it’s going to be a divided household.”
Archbishop Moeller's @J_MARSH2024 rushed for nearly 2K and 30 TDs last season.
He added 19 rec. for 364 yards and 4 TDs.
Dude is the COMPLETE PACKAGE.
He dropped his Final 4 last week – Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee & Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/Gb5eUnvaTS
— Zack Poff (@Zack_Poff_MP) February 9, 2023
Marshall still has one more season before he reaches Ann Arbor and will have plenty of potential to succeed there, but he will also have the opportunity to show why he loves playing football so much.
“It brings my family together,” Marshall said. “It’s just a unique opportunity and the impact it makes on other people is why I keep doing it … It’s crazy that the lives you touch with a game of football and it’s a game at the end of the day, but it’s a platform that’s making an impact on the world.”
Continuing his love for football also helped Marshall find the passion for playing running back.
Moeller2
“I went back and forth,” Marshall said. “I played quarterback in little league. I played a lot of linebacker and safety and really fell in love with safety because of the hitting. When I got to Moeller, they pulled me up to varsity and I played wide receiver and I thought about moving there because it got me on the field and I was good at it, but once the season started, they moved me to running back.”
Making the move to running back worked out for the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Marshall and he was named 2022 Ohio Gatorade Football Player of the Year, producing over 1,900 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns for the Crusaders. Playing for them has also helped him become a leader.
“Everybody is challenging you to bring your A-game every week,” Marshall said. “We damn near play a national schedule and it’s really about trying to get our guys to play 16 weeks and get to the state championship game and make sure we’re playing our best ball.”
Marshall has brought his best every week and has recorded over 3,200 rushing yards, 800 receiving yards and 59 total touchdowns in his Moeller career, leading him to become a team captain.
Excited to announce the 2022 Captains for this football season! We’re just 7 days away from Massillon.⏰🔥 #LetsGoBigMoe
Senior #10 Tennel Bryant
Senior #46 Joe Ginnetti
Junior #24 Jordan Marshall
Senior #52 Colin Remenowsky
Senior #36 Matthew Seliga pic.twitter.com/ATM1ZmnlLh— Archbishop Moeller Football (@MoellerFootball) August 13, 2022
He was the second Archbishop junior captain since current Cincinnati Bengal Sam Hubbard and he’s ready to serve as a role model for athletes across the country.
“You got to trust the process,” Marshall said. “There’s a rush to go to college now and go to the NFL and graduating was a big thing for me so I wanted to live in the moment. I wanted to be here and you only get to see this time once … You have to love the grind and if you don’t, then you probably shouldn’t be playing. I love the grind of football and I could do it over and over again.”
Marshall will do his best to continue his success at the next level, but moving forward he’ll aim to have a focused mindset and master the sport that has made a significant impact on his family.
Working on basic graphics getting ready for the high school football season. @J_MARSH2024 @BigMoeFootball @OHSAASports pic.twitter.com/V6Rkgizyf6
— Photography by Michael Noyes (@noyesmj) July 17, 2023
“I’ve never seen my dad’s dad being so invested in something and the love he has for me, the game and our family now is special,” Marshall said. “It really has brought our family together and it makes me super happy and being able to put on a show for them … and I will keep doing that and try to bring honor to my family.”
