All of a sudden, the Reliaquest Bowl, the last Michigan football game of the 2024 season, is just five days away. The Wolverines will square off against 11th-ranked Alabama and while the stakes aren't nearly as high as they were in the Rose Bowl, it's a game the Wolverines want to win.
It's also an opportunity to see what some young guys can do for the future. Some fans have been clamoring for Jadyn Davis to get an opportunity in the Reliaquest Bowl but it seems like the true freshman just isn't ready for that, so Davis Warren will be under center again.
Michigan football has already had some players declare for the NFL draft such as Mason Graham, Will Johnson, Josaiah Stewart, and Colston Loveland. They won't be playing in the bowl game. Donovan Edwards won't be either, due to injury, which will provide a tremendous opportunity for Jordan Marshall.
Jordan Marshall is a Michigan football player to watch in Reliaquest Bowl
Marshall is expected by many to be the next great Michigan football running back. The top-100 recruit and No. 1 running back in Ohio in the 2024 class, has gotten just eight carries for 20 yards this season. One of those carries came against Ohio State on the final when Kalel Mullings needed a breather.
In this game, I expect Michigan to feed Mullings. It will be his final game as a Wolverine and him rushing for over 100 yards is probably the best chance U-M has at pulling an upset. Depending on what Kenneth Grant decides to do, the Wolverines could be without three starters on the defensive line.
So playing ball control will be important on offense and Marshall is one Michigan football player I have my eye on. I'm hoping to see him get more carries in this game than he's gotten all season. Marshall has returned a kickoff 63 yards this season and has flashed in that regard.
Now, I want to see what he can do within the offense. Mullings should get the bulk of the carries, but I'd love to see Marshall get 5-10 touches. Even with the addition of Justice Haynes, Marshall has a great chance to be RB1 or Co-RB1 in 2025.
That's how good this dude can be and I'm hoping he gets a real opportunity to make an impact against Alabama in the Reliaquest Bowl.