Key Highlights
- He began the year behind Justice Haynes, but took over the lead role for the final month after Haynes went down with a foot injury late against Michigan State. Michigan running back Jordan Marshall (23) runs against Ohio State during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov.
- 29, 2025. Marshall ran for more than 100 yards with a touchdown in every game where he was the primary runner and didn't get knocked out of the game.
- He had a four-game stretch against Washington, Michigan State, Purdue and Northwestern when he racked up 570 yards and seven touchdowns.
- He got dinged up late in Northwestern game and then sat out the following week against Maryland to rest for the regular season finale. The Cincinnati, Ohio native tried to give it a go the following week against Ohio State, but lasted just two series, running seven times for 61 yards before reaggravating the injury.
- He also sat out U-M's bowl game against Texas when he was listed as questionable. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMarshall is the third key skill position player to decide to return to Ann Arbor - quarterback Bryce Underwood made his decision public earlier in the week, and the Free Press learned that wide receiver Andrew Marsh had reached a new deal to return as a sophomore. READ MORE: Michigan football players returning for 2026 under Kyle WhittinghamNew coach Kyle Whittingham said his first priority was retaining key players and he's done just that so far, also keeping essentially the entire starting line in tact − Jake Guarnera, Andrew Sprague, Blake Frazier and Evan Link are all coming back, as is five-star Andrew Babalola. The backfield appears to be in good shape heading into 2026 − five-star running back Savion Hiter moved into his apartment in Ann Arbor last week and is set to begin winter conditioning with the team when that kicks off in a few weeks. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIf U-M is able to keep Haynes, too, it could be considered the best backfield in the sport. Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press.