Ohio State was unable to land a commitment from perhaps the most important recruit in the country. He decided to play for Michigan instead. It’s a tough look for the Buckeyes.
Jordan Marshall, a four-star running back prospect in the college football recruiting Class of 2024, hails from Cincinnati. His time at Archbishop Moeller was one of the greatest four-year careers in state history, and a phenomenal senior season led him to be named ‘Ohio Mr. Football’ earlier this week.
The award is presented to the best player in the Buckeye State. Marshall rushed for 1,550 yards and 17 touchdowns in 13 games this year while adding 30 catches for 394 yards and four touchdowns.
Archbishop went 10-5 on the year but lost by seven in overtime, one game short of a state championship appearance. The Fighting Crusaders’ success would not have been possible without Marshall. As he goes, so does the offense.
There is no scenario — ever — in which Ohio Mr. Football should choose Michigan over Ohio State. If the player, like Marshall, wants to go play for an out-of-state program like USC or Alabama, fine. It’s a tough loss but it happens. He clearly wanted to get out of the midwest.
For the Buckeyes to allow the best player in its state to go play for their most bitter rivals, in an adjacent state in the same region of the country, is a tough look. That shouldn’t happen.
Especially when he’s as good as Marshall.
Credit to the Wolverines staff for getting it done. It might be their biggest recruiting win of the year.
Sure, Marshall may not be the top-ranked running back in the country. He may not be the best player in Michigan’s 2024 class. That doesn’t matter.
Jim Harbaugh, Mike Hart and “that school up north” swiped the best player in the state of Ohio from Ryan Day and Ohio State. That is a massive win.