'We're ready to compete': Jordan Marshall discusses Michigan adding Justice Haynes, weight gain, more

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines football sophomore running back Jordan Marshall was the talk of the fan base and earned even more respect from his teammates with a 23-carry, 100-yard performance in a 19-13 win over Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Michigan needed Marshall to step up with veteran running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards not available, and he answered the ball. The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder took some massive hits and ran hard through contact, after only totaling 11 carries coming into the game.

While Marshall’s performance was eye-opening and set the stage for what he’ll be this coming season, the Wolverines were already bringing in another experienced running back in junior Alabama transfer Justice Haynes. Marshall is fine with splitting carries more.

“I’d love to do that every game,” Marshall said with a smile, when asked if the bowl game performance is sustainable. “It’s not ideal, but if that’s what it comes to, yes. But that’s why you bring another great back in, and we have guys that can play capable minutes, and that’s a testament to [the coaching staff], getting guys ready to all be able to play. There’s no drop off in that room.

“I would say we’re just ready to compete. I’m excited for the challenge of having so many good backs in that room. We go in there, and we want to compete every day, but we’re also gonna learn from each other because everybody brings something different to our team. It’s a really good mindset to see all that.”

Marshall established himself as one of Michigan’s most talented offensive players ahead of the 2025 season, but Haynes will also compete for the starting job. Marshall is excited for that battle but also to grow alongside Haynes.

“I was excited,” Marshall said of the Haynes addition. “After that game, you can get complacent — ’I’m the guy,’ this and that. But bringing him in makes me want to boost myself and be a better player. 

“Just to learn from him. He’s an older guy; he’s experienced from Alabama, playing in the Rose Bowl against Michigan. Just to hear those stories, hear the guys he’s been around and been coached by and, obviously, see his work ethic — I want to emulate that, I want to be like him, I want to make sure that I’m doing everything I can. Just to have that guy in there to push me to be a better version of myself. I was really excited that he came here.”

Haynes rushed for 448 yards and 7 touchdowns on 79 carries for Alabama last season.

“I think he’s the whole package,” Marshall said of his Michigan teammate. “I think he’s just like me — three down, he can catch, he can pass block, he can run. When you have two all-purpose backs that can do everything, that’s scary. We have the opportunity to be one of the best running back rooms and groups in the country. Every time we step in that meeting room, that’s our mindset — to be the best running back room in the country and to lead this team.”

Marshall, who said he’s focused on his pass protection skills this offseason, said he’d be fine with either starting or coming off the bench.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” he noted. “I’d love to start. I don’t care to start. I want to win games. At the end of the day, you come here to go 13-0, win a national championship, or 15 — whatever it is now. But I just want to win games.

“I think there’s gonna be a rotation of more than just two guys. We have enough guys that can go out there and play really good ball. There’s no drop-off. It’s exciting, and wherever I fall in that and can help this team win is what I’m gonna do.”

Marshall has bulked up a bit this offseason, testing out a new weight during Michigan’s spring practices that will run through April 19.

“I’ve gained a little bit of weight. I’m around 220, just seeing what it looks like to play at it and go from there,” he said. “It feels good. I played around 215 last year, but just wanted to see what it looks like to be a little heavier. This is the heaviest I’ve been, and I’m still moving well.”