Michigan freshman RB Jordan Marshall impressing in fall camp: 'Great addition'

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines football running backs coach and run game coordinator Tony Alford has quite a bit of talent and depth to work with. The Wolverines will potentially feature a two-headed monster at the front end of the rotation in senior Donovan Edwards and graduate Kalel Mullings, but they also have more depth than in previous seasons, including in 2022 when a walk-on had to play key snaps down the stretch in a tight game against Illinois.

Edwards and Mullings are projected as the team’s top two running backs, with competition behind them. Freshman Jordan Marshall just arrived on campus this summer but is viewed as a contender.

“Jordan’s been great,” Mullings said Wednesday. “He’s a hard worker, physical — and that’s what you love to see out of a freshman, especially that physicality. Coming in and being physical is huge.

“He’s been a great addition to the room. Great kid. He’s a sponge with everything. Every time any of the older guys try to give him any tips and pointers, he just soaks it all up. He’s been a great addition.”

Sophomore Benjamin Hall — a 5-foot-11, 235-pounder who rushed 15 times for 69 yards in 2023 — is also in the mix. He and classmate Cole Cabana, who’s dealt with injuries at times early in his Michigan career, have made big strides since enrolling early last January.

“Ben’s been having a great camp, as well,” Mullings explained. “Even yesterday, he had a couple good runs.

“And just the growth, seeing the maturity. Obviously, I was an older guy when those guys came, but seeing the steps they’ve taken from coming in as early enrollees to now, it’s been crazy, from the vision to the pass pro to just getting vertical and not trying to get to the sideline every time like a freshman may do.

“Those guys have been coming along. And just seeing Ben grow up, it’s been great.”

Kalel Mullings feels ‘light and explosive’

According to the Michigan roster, the 6-foot-2 Mullings is down to 233 pounds (listed at 239 last season), and he revealed he actually shedded around 8 pounds this offseason.

“I’ve been working this offseason to prepare myself, prepare my body for that expanded role,” Mullings said. “And I definitely feel like those preparations that I’ve made in preparing my body — trying to get a little bit lighter, trying to get a little bit faster — will definitely help. I’m just excited for it, honestly.

“Last year, there were flashes of different packages and different ways to get me in the game. Expect more of that, as well, and some more carries.”

Mullings rushed 36 times for 222 yards with 1 touchdown and caught 2 passes for 32 yards. Now, he expects to tote the rock more.

“I feel good. I feel light and explosive,” he said. “I’m excited, and out here on this practice field so far I’ve felt great.”

While he’s set to flash his underrated speed this season, Mullings’ power has stood out for years. Last season, he averaged 4.14 yards after contact per rush, ranking second in the Big Ten and 27th in the nation among running backs with 35-plus carries, per PFF. He feels his skill set will complement Edwards’, with the latter being known for breaking long runs.

“I feel like we all know what Dono brings. He’s lightning fast, he can get out at any time,” Mullings said. “I feel like, for me, I bring some size, some power to complement that.

“Playing defense, one snap you’re going against a guy that’s going to break it to the house; the next snap you’re going against a guy that wants to run you over. That’s hard to go back and forth with. I feel like that’s how I can complement and help the team.”

A converted linebacker, Mullings played both running back and defense in 2022 fall camp. Last year was his first time playing exclusively on offense, and he’s carried over the momentum he gained from that experience to this year’s preseason.

“I definitely think being able to see and understand defenses — the fronts, where the blitzes are coming from, different things like that,” Mullings said of how he’s improved as a running back. “Part of that comes from playing defense, so I know what I’m looking at maybe a little bit better. I think those have been my biggest strides, is knowing what the defense may potentially be doing, where a blitz may be coming from, where a guy is dropping to, things like that.”