Why 2023 Ohio Mr. Football Jordan Marshall Snubbed Ohio State for Michigan

Michigan has an Ohio Mr. Football and the top recruit in the country at his position in the same backfield, and both of them turned down Ohio State to get there. Neither seems to think that requires much explanation.

Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter joined Rich at the fourth annual Champions Circle golf event, where Kyle Whittingham was the headline guest. Marshall, from Ohio, grew up rooting for Georgia rather than the Buckeyes because his dad is from outside Atlanta, and the decision came down to something less strategic than people assume.

"My mom always told me to just lead with my heart," Marshall said. "I just came up here and I fell in love with how Harbaugh did things, the community around here, and the people. When I was done playing football or something happened to me, where would I want to be at?"

Hiter's version was shorter. "This is the only place to be," he said. "The love here is different."

Both point to the same person as the anchor. Tony Alford, who left Ohio State himself, is the running backs coach they each already had a relationship with, and neither hedges on the ranking. "TA is like the best running back coach in the country," Hiter said.

Marshall also swatted away the version of his recruitment that had him losing out in Columbus. "People were like, oh, he chose Mike Hart over you. Never just really was true. I liked both of them," Marshall said. "I just didn't love Ohio State. And then I just remember TA getting the job and it was like I don't have to start over again."

Which makes Whittingham's decision to retain Alford one of the more consequential things he has done since arriving. Asked whether that is a crucial reason both players are still here, Marshall did not hesitate.

"I would 100% say so," he said. "And I think that says something about his character and who he is and the trust coach Whittingham and the staff have in him."

Marshall has been through enough turnover to have a philosophy about it. Whittingham is technically his third head coach, counting Jim Harbaugh recruiting him.

"You find out who men really are when they stay in those tough situations," Marshall said. "I didn't want to be somebody who ran from something. I love this place, and that's the reason why I came back."

What Whittingham told Hiter when he took over was less about scheme than membership. "We're always going to be a family. That's what Michigan is," Hiter said. "The block M is so strong and anywhere you go, you're going to get go blue, go blue."

As for how the two coexist, Hiter kept it to five words that will do fine on a graphic. "Me and Jordan in the backfield, dynamic duo." Asked whether they will be on the field at the same time, he allowed that you might see some glimpses of it, then noted the coach was safely out on the golf course.

Marshall's framing of Hiter is the most interesting thing either of them said.

"Sometimes you get these five-star guys that that's not how they're wired," Marshall said. "It's so refreshing to see people are willing to learn, and shoot, if he rushes for four touchdowns in a game and I have zero, who cares? As long as we win that game, that's all that matters to me."

Marshall's own goal starts one rung lower than a trophy, because of how last season ended for him. "My goal is to be healthy," he said. "Healthy for my team and make it to Ohio State."

Both are also carrying the aftertaste of watching the basketball team win a national championship. "You see somebody else and you're happy for them, but it also stings too cuz you want that," Marshall said. "You go back home and you're like, I got to get one of those."

Hiter wants the same trophy. "I want to win a national championship first," he said. "It's not all about me, it's about the team."