Michigan running back Jordan Marshall is officially set to play in Saturday’s rivalry matchup against No. 1 Ohio State.
The sophomore Marshall injured his shoulder in No. 15 Michigan’s 24-22 win over Northwestern Nov. 15, and while he traveled and was in uniform for the Wolverines 45-20 victory over Maryland Nov. 22, the running back did not play.
In a press conference Nov. 25, the running back clarified his status for the Wolverines battle with the Buckeyes, as Marshall shared his excitement to play in The Game.
“I’m ready to go. I’m ready to hit somebody. I’m ready to run in that end zone again,” Marshall said. “Again, it was exciting to watch those guys (Michigan’s backup running backs). That’s what this is all about is seeing everybody else’s success. That’s when you know you’re doing a great job. For me, getting to see those guys do that was exciting. I’m just excited to go out there and go to war with them.”
Coming out of Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Marshall was ranked as the No. 78 overall player, the No. 4 running back and the No. 3 player in the state of Ohio.
Though, despite Marshall’s Ohio roots, the Cincinnati native ultimately chose Michigan over Ohio State.
When asked why he chose Michigan over Ohio State, Marshall took a subtle dig at the Buckeyes. Marshall said that some within the Ohio State football program are selfish, something he didn’t experience at Michigan under running backs coach Tony Alford, who previously held the same role with the Buckeyes.
“I really liked Tony Alford. He would probably be one of the reasons that I went there,” Marshall said. “I didn’t like a few other people (at Ohio State), and that’s truly why I didn’t pick them. I think Coach Alford would tell you the same. He came here, and he sees the best head coach in the Big Ten, in college football, and how he carries himself and how he puts himself over the team. It’s all about culture, and that’s what I wanted to be around. I didn’t want to be around people that were about themselves, and I truly just believe that. That’s why Coach Alford came here, too. He knew that he wanted to be around better people.”
Marshall emerged as a key contributor for Michigan this season with Haynes sidelined. In 10 games, he has rushed 143 times for 871 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also catching eight passes for 82 yards. Marshall has topped 100 rushing yards and scored a touchdown in each of his last three outings for the Wolverines.
Image Via Josh Boland, MLive.com
