Sometimes you get your little brother excited when you're playing basketball and let him get the lead. Then you just come back and take it back.

Michigan's Ohio Strategy is starting to become a blitzkreig, as Michigan's top running back target, and the #3 player in Ohio, just committed to the school of De'Veon Smith, Gene Derricotte, Fitz Toussaint, Rob Lytle, and Bob Chappuis.

Unlike some historical Ohio guys like Dick Sygar, Richard Vick, Tom Curtis, Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson, this latest RB liberated from the Land of Bad Presidents looks like he's going to stay in the backfield. He's also the second head-to-head recruiting win over the Buckeyes in as many days, with both Marshall's and that Hillman coming out of last weekend's visitpocalypse.

Huge kudos are in order for Mike Hart, whose recruiting was starting to get questioned in these parts and others. Go ahead and take a gloat, underrated man, and when you're done we'll see what you've wriggled your way into this time.

GURU RATINGS

I know what you're thinking and yes, so far we've avoided the 5-star curse.*

RATINGS BY SITE
247: 5'10.5/193	On3: 5'10.5/190	Rivals: 6'0/200	ESPN: 5'11/195
4*, 91, #176 Ovr #13 RB, #5 OH	4*, 93, #79 Ovr #6 RB, #3 OH	4*, 5.9, #55 Ovr #3 RB, #2 OH	4*, 82, #189 Ovr #15 RB, #8 OH
4.23	4.57	4.65	4.20
COMPOSITE RANKINGS
247 Composite	On3 Consensus	MGoBlog
4*, 0.9548, #91 Ovr #7 RB, #3 OH	4*, 93.21, #90 Ovr #6 RB, #3 OH	4.5*, #153/778 Ovr #16/60 RBs since 1990
4.55	4.32	4.44

Rivals is the closest to flirting with a 5th star, but still have him rated two levels below the dreaded 6.1 rating. ESPN has him behind ten guys in the SEC footprint, nine of whom they have ranked higher than any other site. 247 and Rivals have both started to downgrade the position in general—247's top RB is currently a 4-star and ranked 41st overall (their 2nd RB is Taylor Tatum at 49th, who has a crystal ball to Michigan). 247 moved him up to a 91 just yesterday.

[AFTER THE JUMP: How important was Marshall for Ohio State?]

SCOUTING

Make no mistake, this was a huge recruiting win for Hart and Michigan. That much is evident just from the titles of the articles.

Yes, you get it. Tell me you didn't enjoy the scroll anyways? Well you're gonna enjoy the hell out of the rest of this, since every scout who sees the MaxPreps junior All-American falls in love for all the good reasons, and not the overrated one. 247's OSU guy Bill Kurelic reported Marshall's been OSU's top RB target in this class since he passed the look test at Ohio State's camp.

Marshall has a nice burst, cuts on a dime and accelerates well coming out of his cuts.

These remained the highlights to 247's Midwest analyst Allen Trieu when it came time for the official scouting report a month ago:

Has been a star and highly productive against very good high school competition. Has an innate feel for the position, good vision and finds running lanes. Reads his blocks and shows good patience. Has balance and keeps his feet through contact. Not used as much as a downfield receiver but shows good hands and natural pass-catching skills. Has gone out to some events and been timed. Has good straight speed. He is not quite elite in terms of his measureables but they are good and then when you combine his intangibles and position skills into that, he is a no-brainer national back. He should be a very reliable, productive college starter at a major program.

Trieu calls Marshall a "high floor, safe prospect." National recruiting analyst Clint Cosgrove agrees on the floor, disagrees about the implied ceiling.

"Marshall has as much upside as any back in the country and his floor may be just as high as his ceiling. He is the perfect fit for Michigan's ground and pound style of play, but at the same time Marshall brings many of the same attributes that you find in an all-purpose back."

… Big Ten size, burst, speed and power. … He is incredibly skilled between the tackles and is the type of back who's just as likely to hit a big gain by running through a defender as he is by making them miss. … his vertical burst when coming out of cuts and speed to hit the home run off the edge make him a lethal perimeter running threat as well.

Trieu's comp was Damien Harris, the Alabama RB who was once committed to Michigan, because what's life without a little pain? Harris also loved Mike Hart, and modeled his game after him. The difference: Harris clocked a 4.4 at the Army Combine and had his coach talking about mutant speed. Trieu's characterization of Marshall doesn't sound anything like that.

Marshall's coach's characterization does.

“He is physical and fast, very competitive and he’s an all-around back. His abilities meant everything to the Moeller offense.”

On3's evaluation is mostly a quote from Moeller's old coach, and reads a lot like freshman Charbonnet($).

He’s a complete back and can do everything that you’re looking for,” former Moeller coach Mark Elder told On3’s The Wolverine. “He’s a kid who’s great in pass protection and is physical, tough, and strong. He can be kept on third downs when you need him to protect and pick up blitzes. He’s smart when recognizing schemes. He’s just a weapon out of the backfield. He has great hands. You can flex him out or even throw it him out of the backfield. He’s really good in that regard. As a runner, he has all of the tools you look for. He has great vision and patience. He’s fast. He can run by you. He can run over you. He can make you miss. There’s not an aspect of his game that’s lacking right now.”

For a take from their staff we go to EJ Holland ($):

So why is Marshall such a big land? Marshall is a perfect fit for the system. The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder has a compact build and is an extremely tough runner between the tackles. Marshall may not have elite speed, but he does have enough juice to break long runs. He is at his best when he can pound and wear down defenses. Marshall embraces contact and runs through people. He’s the embodiment of the aforementioned SMASH mentality. Marshall has ultra-productive at Ohio powerhouse Moeller, where he faces stiff competition every week.

Getting one from ESPN is usually a lost cause, but TomVH responded to our bat signal with what it means for the rivalry. At Rivals, Jared Halus also struggled to look past Michigan accomplishing a thing they haven't even attempted since Tom was writing about Brionte Dunn for us. But they got there($):

It doesn't take a long time watching Jordan Marshall to realize he is a special talent. It is difficult to find a glaring weakness in his game, as the 6-foot, 200-pound prospect has the frame of a linebacker, the speed and burst of a running back, and the power of a fullback.

Steve Lorenz, like the rest of us, were surprised by the commitment. However he's not shy about what to expect next.

I fully expect Marshall to be a year one player, need or not.

The Wolverine's Zach Libby spoke to Moeller's coach Mark Elder, who mentioned a few skills($) you don't normally see from a high schooler:

He’s a kid who’s great in pass protection and is physical, tough, and strong. He can be kept on third downs when you need him to protect and pick up blitzes. He’s smart when recognizing schemes. He’s just a weapon out of the backfield. He has great hands. You can flex him out or even throw it him out of the backfield. He’s really good in that regard. As a runner, he has all of the tools you look for. He has great vision and patience. He’s fast. He can run by you. He can run over you. He can make you miss. There’s not an aspect of his game that’s lacking right now.

Libby took in the St. Xavier game, was told "be ready to be amazed($)," and came away particularly impressed with Marshall's composure. Libby also noted Moeller used a stable of four RBs, since running more is generally their counter to running lots. At the end of the road trip Libby had Marshall on top of the board($).

Marshall is the quintessential all-around running back, whose muscular defined 5-foot-11 and 195-pound make him a bowling ball in-between the tackles

The #1 overall recruit for 2025 was #2.

For what it's worth, many of the headlines in The Scroll were the work of Libby's OSU counterpart Matt Parker, who's been on about Marshall as a Buckeye priority since the start of the cycle, offering a comp (video).

His game mirrors that of former Buckeye great J.K. Dobbins. Marshall has all the size and power to run through people, but he also has the speed and elusiveness to run past people too.

Parker later went into detail why losing Marshall would be like losing 42-27 and 45-23.

Ohio State may have a mass exodus at running back after the ’23 season. Miyan Williams is leaving and then, TreVeyon Henderson and Evan Pryor will both be draft-eligible. The Buckyes could have three running backs leave, so landing a major running back in ’24 is essential. Jordan Marshall‘s the No. 6 running back by On3 and he’s an in-state kid. Ohio State’s main competition is Michigan for Jordan Marshall. They can’t lose that recruiting battle. They just can’t.

But they did.

OFFERS

The works. A classic Michigan-Ohio State battle with Tennessee and Wisconsin the interlopers. Oregon would have been fifth on his list if not for distance, via Kurelic. Penn State was after him until OSU's territorial focus scared them off.

HIGH SCHOOL

Archbishop Moeller is a highlight on the Ohio recruiting trail, particularly because they and the Cincinnati area in general have not been as locked down for Ohio State as other parts of the state. That's been true for a long time—my 2011 series on Ohio notes over 40% of the 4-stars produced by the region went out of conference, and only about a quarter went to OSU, versus 50%+ for the rest of the state.

Moeller puts out at least a 3-star every year. Notable 4-stars include OSU's Jake Hausmann and Notre Dame QB Andrew Hendrix.

The last to go to Michigan was Zach Carpenter. Historically, Jack Harpring, Vada Murray, Eric Wendt, and Paul Barry came out of there. When MSU was getting rich in Ohio it was using Moeller as a pipeline, drawing Matt Dotson, Shane Jones, Greg Jones, Monty Madaris, Matt Coughlin and Marcus Rush, among others. Kentucky had moved in more recently.

Cincinnati is named for the George Washington of Roman history. Look him up someday.

STATS

MaxPreps lists a junior year of 1,951 rushing yards and 30 TDs, plus 19 passes for 364 yards and 4 TDs. His sophomore season was almost as good: 1,155 yards on 166 carries (6.96 YPC) and 22 TDs, plus 427 receiving yards.

FAKE 40 TIME

None listed. That's fake. Everyone has a 40 time. My 9-year-old has a 40 time on her Hoverboard. Yes, my siblings got her a hoverboard, and yes the thing she wanted to do with it was run a 40-yard dash. I also forgot it so I'm going to make one up: 4.5. There ya go. This gets five FAKES out of five because I just made up what my daughter goes on a hoverboard and applied it to a running back from Cincinnati.

VIDEO

Junior highlights:

Note that the wheel route vs rival/fellow powerhouse St. Xavier was the game-winner of a 20-17 thriller.

I love this cut, and the TD dance that follows:

Sophomore highlights and individual games are available on his Hudl page.

ETC.

Plays baseball, and volunteers as a youth sports counselor. Weighted 4.23 GPA. Today in people making comps to Mike Hart:

"Me and coach Hart are really close. He’s my guy. We’re pretty much the same person, like, it’s crazy. So it’s just really special knowing the connection that we have. Plus, they run that ball.”

Imagine if he's fast.

* IS THERE A 5-STAR RUNNING BACK CURSE?

The 5-star curse isn't really a thing. I highlighted the 5-star ratings in my database since 1990:

I'll give you it was crap luck/industry holes that Baraka, Green, Walker, and Isaac were all busts, but Fargas and Charbonnet were very good backs displaced to the Pac X by even better backs, and Powers, Edwards, Wheatley, and A-Train were hits.

Counterpoint: The most recent "hit" before Edwards was 1997, and Edwards can be explained by hiding out at receiver. Also I evidently haven't convinced myself it's not a thing, because I'm honestly a bit relieved that Marshall's ranked where he is.

PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE

First of all I want to give a hat tip to the Moeller coach and Marshall's offensive line. I don't remember the last time I watched film of a high school team executing Power schemes so well. I wasn't on the Zach Carpenter writeup but I can see how a program like 2018 Michigan would have been very interested in whoever's playing center for a school like this. A hypothetical UFR of this tape would be an OL bonanza.

That said, they left plenty for Marshall to create himself, and there you got to see the subtleties that make his game. Well, subtleties and one attribute that hits you over the head with a hammer: this dude *accelerates*! That plus his little shifts make him murder on safeties and create the bad angles that set up the missed tackles. Marshall doesn't have the pure explosion of Corum, but he has something like it, as well as a very good sense of timing his cuts with blocking. I can see why they make a Dobbins comparison—Corum is the better Dobbins comp—and why they're impressed with this North-South-itude (or South-North in this case). That is a back properly timing his explosion with the impact of a puller.

And that is a back who's going to play immediately. Corum technically could play another year but he's almost certainly off to the draft, and Donovan Edwards will be eligible for it. Even if Edwards stays, Michigan effectively needs two starters, and the door is wide open behind him for a true freshman to overtake what's on the roster. And even if Cole Cabana is everything we dreamed, the Corum role needs someone to fill it. I don't think Marshall will need too long to pass Stokes, Mullings, Dunlap, Franklin, Gash, and Hall, especially if it's true about his pass protection. Running back is a position where being a freshman doesn't matter as much except in that one thing. Plan on Marshall getting the 2nd or 3rd most carries in 2024, and a lot after, ideally in a one-two punch with Cabana.

UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS

Michigan's class is now, finally, starting to come together. They're at six guys, Michigan fans were hoping the big recruiting weekend would yield a commitment from 5* QB Jadyn Davis, who in turn could topple a bunch of dominoes on the verge of falling their way. Marshall will serve, and his early commitment could well give the class an even more Ohio flavor than we anticipated as Michigan can now push even deeper into the state.

Checking in on Ohio State's top 10 prospects as of last June according to Bill Kurelic, two (Marshall and Luke Hamilton) are committed to Michigan, and two more (Ben Roebuck and Brian Robinson) are expected to be eventually, while one, the little cousin of current Buckeye TE Cade Stover, is pledged to OSU. The War as it stands:

If you zoom in that swath through Columbus is actually two lines.

With the fall of Marshall there's nothing preventing Michigan from marching directly to cornerback Aaron Scott, the top prospect in the state. The guns are already sounding.

Terhyon Nichols could also fall if they turn their guns in that direction($). If Ohio State loses Scott, even Bryce West in the impregnable fortress of Glenville is under threat.

On other fronts, Michigan's pursuit of fellow elite RB Taylor Tatum, though a different kind of back, is probably more difficult. Tatum was already getting crystal balled to Michigan because of the cultural fit, but also because Marshall was expected to stretch deep into the cycle. Lorenz admits he thought Tatum was more likely to be in the class($). Holland also thinks this sets them back with Tatum($), but far from out of the race. Two backs is still the plan, so if they can't get Tatum Michigan could likely move quickly with bruising TX 3* Harry Stewart, who was up for visitageddon and is a favorite of Hart.

As for whether the class should have more than seven guys in it, yeah they're a bit behind the modern average for non-transition Michigan classes, but not as bad as last year's.

decommits not included because they're too hard to add back in.

THE CLASS AS IT STANDS

OFFENSE
Pos	Player	State	Stars	In a nutshell
RB	Jordan Marshall	OH	4.4⬆	Accelerates South-North
TE	Hogan Hansen	WA	4.1⬆⬆	Colston Loveland West
OT	Luke Hamilton	OH	4.0⬇	Midwestern mauler
DEFENSE
Pos	Player	State	Stars	In a nutshell
DT	Ted Hammond	OH	4.0⬆	Cincy build-a-bear
DT	Manuel Beigel	CT	3.6	Lengthy German via Choate
MLB	Mason Curtis	TN	4.2⬆	Long athlete moving up
S	Jacob Oden	MI	4.2	Tall son of coach

Our 2024 recruiting board lives here.