Rejecting the mediocrity of a nine-win season, the Wolverines running back details a grueling off-season transformation fueled by record-breaking lifts, elite conditioning, and total program alignment.
At Big Ten Media Days, Michigan Wolverines running back Jordan Marshall sat at the roundtable with a clear message: the program isn't interested in living on past laurels, nor is it accepting anything less than championship-level excellence. Reflecting on a nine-win season that left a sour taste in the locker room, Marshall detailed how off-season accountability, strength gains, and team-wide alignment have set the stage for Michigan's next chapter.
Raising the Standard Beyond "Nine and Three"
In Ann Arbor, standard expectations are sky-high, and Marshall didn't shy away from addressing the noise surrounding last year's campaign.
"You go 9-3, and there's all these problems. 9-3 is not a good season to me, not to anybody with the standard of Michigan football. Let's get that right," Marshall stated firmly.
For Marshall, the difference in the upcoming season comes down to organizational alignment. With a streamlined coaching staff and direct communication from athletic leadership down through the roster, the Wolverines are focused on eliminating external drama.
"When you have alignment in a company, a brand, or anything, that's when you're through the roof," Marshall explained. "We know what our goals are, our expectations are, and now it's just going 1-0 every single week."
A Revamped Weight Room and "Fourth-Quarter" Conditioning
One of the most noticeable changes this off-season has been in the weight room. Marshall shared that the strength and conditioning approach shifted heavily toward functional movements designed directly for game-day translation, including the reintroduction of maximum-effort lifts.
Skyrocketing Numbers: Marshall personally hit a 375-pound bench press, noting that squad members saw 100- to 200-pound increases across core lifts team-wide.
Injury Prevention: Daily focus on hamstring care and soft-tissue durability aims to keep key contributors on the field.
Fourth-Quarter Edge: Heavy summer running programs were instituted to fix late-game fatigue issues.
"We're going to win a lot of games just because of how much we condition and how much we run," Marshall said. "We're going to be more conditioned than teams in the fourth quarter. I think we lacked that last season."
A Dynamic Backfield and Freshmen Leadership
When asked about the running back rotation under running backs coach Tony Alford, Marshall emphasized trust and depth. Beside Marshall, the room features key contributors like Bryson Kuzdzal and talented incoming freshman Savion Hiter.
Rather than worrying about carry splits, Marshall is focused on elevating the whole group and making sure Savion steps onto the field with "sky-high" confidence.
Marshall also credited the veteran offensive line for helping the backfield transition seamlessly, pointing out that leadership extends across position groups.
Chemistry Beyond the Offense
A surprising highlight for Marshall this off-season was the intentional bond built with the defensive coaching staff. Mentioning defensive coach Jay Hill, Marshall recalled informal conversations during workouts that helped foster mutual trust.
That trust extends to seeing key defensive teammates return to full health. Marshall grew visibly emotional when discussing team captain Rod Moore's grueling return from injury and his performance during recent conditioning tests.
"I want to tear up right now because he's worked so hard to be in the position he is," Marshall shared. "He works his butt off every single day. He's a two-time captain... Injuries are no joke, so I'm very excited to see him play."
As the Wolverines prepare for fall camp, Marshall feels the weight of leadership—not just for the running backs, but for the offense as a whole. With quarterback Bryce Underwood continuously putting in off-season work with the receiving corps in Los Angeles, Marshall believes Michigan will present a far more balanced attack that punishes defenses trying to stack the box.
"Michigan has a lot to prove," Marshall concluded. "I'm putting that on myself, on Bryce, on Trey, on Rod. The captains have to instill that and make sure we're achieving all those goals we need to achieve."
