2024 4-star RB Jordan Marshall announces top four schools

Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller four-star running back Jordan Marshall currently holds 29 offers. He is ready to cut down his list.

Marshall revealed his top four schools on Thursday. They are Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

“After we got back around and got to see all these schools again, I would say it’s pretty tight,” Marshall told On3. “There’s nobody really ahead of each other or behind.”

Marshall is looking to take his official visits in the spring and commit during the early summer. Around July 4 is a potential timeframe for his announcement.

The 5-foot-10.5, 190-pound tailback has visited Ohio State five or six times and Michigan and Tennessee four times each. Over the last two weekends, he has taken trips to see the Volunteers and Wisconsin, respectively.

These four schools have separated themselves

“I really do see myself committing to one of these four schools,” said Marshall, the No. 45 overall prospect and No. 4 running back in the 2024 On300. “There could be a crazy twist where there’s some other colleges that reach out and I’d really give a shot, but I have really good connections and love a lot of the guys at these four programs.”

Marshall has come a long way from when he received his first offer in the middle of his sophomore season. It was extended by Cincinnati, whose head coach — Luke Fickell — is now serving in the same position with the Badgers.

The four-star already knows multiple factors that will important in his decision. Relationships, a family environment and a chance to compete for a national championship all matter to him.

Marshall believes he can contribute at any of his finalists, no matter where the school is located. He knows that hard work and understanding the system will be key for that to happen.

“… I really think I have a chance to do something special at all of them,” Marshall said. “Location, it plays a factor because my mom means the world to me and I want her to be able to be at every game. I know the coaching staff at all four of these would help my mom get there.”

Marshall breaks down his top four schools

Michigan: “It just reminds me of the school I’m at now, Moeller. Faith is a big part of that football program and faith is a big part of my life, so that’s really big to me. Coach (Mike) Hart, that’s my guy. We just understand each other, we get each other. It’s a different type of bond. And then, the school just speaks for itself. It has amazing academics.”

Ohio State: “Me and coach (Tony) Alford have grown so much and we’re really, really close now and can talk about anything from music to sports to just life. He’s a great guy and really wants the best for me. You can just tell how much they love me there. They’re always reaching out and trying to get me to come out, which is just really big for me in my recruitment.”

Tennessee: “They’re dominant, they’re not scared. What they did to Alabama and just watching them over their season, they really could be fighting for a national championship these next few years with Nico (Iamaleava) going there, a whole bunch of guys. Coach (Josh) Heupel is doing a great job there and I just love his laid-back personality. It’s not always football with him. We can talk about different stuff. And then getting to know coach (Jerry) Mack and the rest of the coaching staff a little bit more this past weekend was really good for me. The energy up there is just nuts and I could really see myself being a part of it.”

Wisconsin: “(The visit) was really good. It was weird seeing coach Fickell with the W on his chest, but it was really good. Our connection is out of this world. Me getting to meet the new running backs coach (Devon Spalding) and (offensive coordinator Phil) Longo was really good, just being around those guys and learning some more about the history at running back at Wisconsin… They’re on the verge of being really good. They haven’t hit that spot. They haven’t won a natty, so me just helping them get to that spot is very attractive.”