Jake Butt does not usually hedge when the topic is Michigan football. On Big Ten Network’s “Big Ten Today,” the former Wolverines tight end put a clear expectation on junior running back Jordan Marshall.
“Jordan Marshall can be in the Heisman conversation throughout the season and freshman RB Savion Hiter should be freshman All-American,” Butt said.
He did not stop there. Butt also predicted Michigan’s rushing attack could rank among the top three to five in the country under new offensive coordinator Jason Beck, pointing to the offensive line, Marshall, Hiter and quarterback Bryce Underwood’s legs.
That is a sizable claim for a program ranked No. 18 in the preseason AP poll and still searching for a clearer offensive identity in Year 1 under Kyle Whittingham.
Why Marshall Is Even in the Conversation
Marshall was the No. 4 running back in the 2023 recruiting class out of Archbishop Moeller in Cincinnati. He barely played as a freshman and totaled 120 yards on 31 carries in 2024.
The featured role finally arrived last fall. In 11 games, Marshall rushed for 932 yards on 150 carries, a 6.2-yard average, and 10 touchdowns. He also caught nine passes for 92 yards. He earned All-Big Ten honors and posted 100-yard games against Washington, Michigan State, Purdue and Northwestern, including 185 yards and three scores against Purdue.
Those numbers do not make him a preseason Heisman favorite. They do explain why Butt sees a path if Marshall stays healthy and Michigan’s offense becomes more consistent.
Hiter Changes the Backfield Math
Savion Hiter arrived as one of the top running backs in the 2026 class and immediately generated spring buzz. Whittingham has said Hiter will play. The plan is not to replace Marshall. It is to pair a proven junior with a physical freshman who can spell him and keep defenses from locking in on one back.
Butt’s freshman All-American projection for Hiter fits that complementary role. If both are productive, Michigan can lean on the run even if the passing game takes time to settle under Beck and Underwood.
What Would Have to Happen
A Heisman conversation for a running back usually requires volume, explosive plays and a team that stays relevant in the win column. Michigan’s schedule includes Oklahoma, Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State. Marshall will need more than efficient 900-yard production. He will need signature games against ranked teams and a supporting cast that keeps drives alive.
Butt’s broader point may matter more than the award talk. If Michigan really does become one of the country’s best rushing teams, the Wolverines will have an identity again. That would be bigger than any individual trophy race.
The Bigger Picture
Michigan has spent two seasons watching other programs dominate national awards chatter. Butt just put Marshall in that conversation. The junior now has to prove the praise is more than preseason optimism.
The first chance comes Sept. 5 against Western Michigan.
13. FAQ Section
What exactly did Jake Butt say?
That Jordan Marshall can be in the Heisman conversation throughout the season and Savion Hiter should be a freshman All-American.
How many yards did Marshall rush for in 2025?
932 yards and 10 touchdowns on 150 carries in 11 games.
Did Butt say Marshall will win the Heisman?
No. He said Marshall can stay in the conversation.
Who is Savion Hiter?
Michigan’s highly touted freshman running back, expected to complement Marshall.
When does Michigan open the season?
Sept. 5 at home against Western Michigan.
Reader Question
Is Jake Butt’s Heisman talk for Jordan Marshall realistic, or does Michigan need a much bigger jump on offense first?
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