OSU vies for attention of 2024 RB Marshall
Michael Digman remembers hearing about “this freshman running back” before summer workouts even began.
Prior to the 2020 season, the former Cincinnati Moeller offensive coordinator split his prospective players into four groups based on skill. And at higher levels he was short on bodies.
So Digman gave Jordan Marshall a shot – a tryout at wide receiver before Marshall's strengths as a running back demanded he return to carrying the ball.
“We bring him out there and immediately does great,” Digman said. “Like very confusing how well he picked up on everything.”
Marshall had always been different. His mother, Amy Allphin, describes Marshall as always gravitating to the “older kids,” training with middle schoolers as a fourth grader, and with high schoolers in middle school, which is how he developed a maturity that allowed him to be the rare freshmen to get playing time at Moeller.
But it's important to Marshall, who is trying to develop into a running back consistently in the Heisman Trophy conversation, no matter whether he joins Ohio State, Tennessee, Michigan or Wisconsin's 2024 recruiting classes.
And the rising senior seems to know what it takes to get there.
“Work harder than everybody else,” Marshall said. “Talent only gets you so far, and I truly do believe I work the hardest out of everybody. That's why I think I am where I am.”
Last season, Marshall averaged 140.1 rushing yards per game and eight yards per carry, scoring 34 total touchdowns for a team that finished 13-2 and advanced to the Division 1 state semifinals.
“You can name 10 different things he does better than anybody else on the field,” Digman said. “I don't know what his weakness would be.”
Allphin said Marshall stood out athletically since he first picked up a football at age 5.
“(He) cared about losing in second grade, and the other kids couldn't care less,” she said.
Now her son has cut down his recruitment to focus on the Buckeyes, Tennessee Volunteers, Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan Wolverines.
“He'll tell you, he wants to win,” Allphin said. “He wants to win the big game. Not to say that nobody can win a big game, but there's programs that are more likely to win bigger games.”
Heading into his senior season, Marshall said the reality of a future playing college football has already sunk in.
The weight of his eventual path is why he's already cut down his list to four teams.
Marshall wants to make his decision in July before he devotes his attention to three goals: winning a state title, winning Ohio's Mr. Football award and rushing for at least 2,000 yards.
“We're getting down to where do I really see myself ?” Marshall said. “Where do I see myself living for threeto-four years, and, outside of football, where do I want to go to school and who do I want to be with?”