The 2025 Michigan Wolverines squad was made up of some of the best prospects who were yet to reach their full potential in terms of physicality. That is precisely what new head coach Kyle Whittingham worked on first, revealed running back Jordan Marshall. 

“Two major differences – the strength and conditioning program. I mean, huge difference,” Marshall said. “I mean, a lot of us are a lot bigger and stronger. I know my bench has skyrocketed. I hit 375. But numbers from everyone's like – oh yeah, my squat, my bench, has all went up 100 to 200 pounds.” 

Marshall, 20, most certainly has noticed a physical transformation under Doug Elisaia, Michigan’s new Director of Football Sports Performance.

Elisaia is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, who worked at Utah for 21 years.

He has had such an effect that Marshall is confident the team will win big because of their weight room overhaul. 

“I would say, even from a conditioning standpoint, I think we're going to win a lot of games just because [of] how much we condition and how much we run,” he shared with Ishiah Hole of Wolverines Wire on July 31. “I think that's the biggest difference is we're going to be more conditioned than teams in the fourth quarter. And I think we lacked that in the last season.”

The running back has made a bold statement concerning the chatter, or the lack thereof, around them. Neither he nor the RB room is nominated to be watched for going into this season by analysts from ESPN to CBS. 

In 2025, the team went 9-4 overall in a controversial season that let down fans. Marshall is their leading RB with 150 carries for 932 rushing yards and ten rushing touchdowns. 

His performance was not worthy of being featured on the best running back lists from last season. According to ESPN, Ole Miss Rebels’ Kewan Lacey takes the No.1 running back spot. 

CBS Sports named the Miami Hurricanes, led by Mark Fletcher Jr. and backed by CharMar Brown Jr., as the best RB room going into this season. These judgments, however, have not deterred Marshall, who believes he is the best among his counterparts.

Jordan Marshall reveals his winner mindset for the 2026 season

On July 30, Jordan Marshall spoke to the media at the Big Ten Media Days. There, he made a bold statement on his position going into this season. 

“I'm confident enough to say I think I'm the best running back in the Big Ten,” Marshall said, as reported by Charles Post for Maize and Brew. “If you don't have that mindset, who would want you on their team? If you're not confident in yourself, why are you in this position?”

Marshall’s faith in himself is misplaced concerning the conditions he played under last season. He recorded nine receptions and 150 carries despite not being a starter. 

As he takes the RB 1 role this season under new and dedicated guidance, his production is expected to soar.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community!

Written by

Akanksha Biradar