One of the nation's top running back recruits, Jordan Marshall, will be leaving his home state of Ohio to play for Michigan in college. The four-star released a top four of Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Tennessee prior to announcing his pledge to the Wolverines today.
Marshall had June official visits in the works to all four of his finalists, but a visit to Ann Arbor over the weekend proved to be all that he needed to see and appears to be the catalyst for shutting his recruitment down earlier than expected.
WHAT THE WOLVERINES ARE GETTING:
With Big Ten size, burst, speed and power - it almost seems like Marshall was born to play in the conference best known for pounding the rock. 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.
As good as Marshall is between the tackles, 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. Marshall could very well end up being the thunder to Cole Cabana's lightening for a Michigan team that now looks to be stacked at running back for years to come.
WHY THIS IS BIG FOR MICHIGAN:
The recruiting implications are what come to mind first - and that says a lot - because Marshall has a chance to be a very special player at the college level and beyond. Any time you can beat two conference foes for a running back of Marshall's caliber, it becomes a big deal in itself. Then you add in the fact that Michigan was able to pluck Marshall from its bitter rival's own backyard and this makes an already big commitment even bigger.
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. From style of play, to being the perfect compliment to Michigan's current running back room, this is an absolute home run for the Wolverines. Should Marshall's commitment stick through signing day, this could end up being one of the biggest recruiting wins of the year in the Big Ten.
