It's been almost 30 years since a Michigan football player won the Heisman Trophy. Charles Woodson was the last to do it during the Wolverines' national championship season in 1997.
Woodson remains the only defensive player to win the award, although his contributions on offense and special teams helped him get it over Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning. Since then, the Wolverines have had some Heisman Trophy finalists: Chris Perry in 2003, Jabrill Peppers in 2016, and also Aidan Hutchinson, who nearly won the award just playing defense, taking second in 2021.
Could Michigan have another Heisman finalist in 2026? And no, I'm not talking about quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Jordan Marshall is a Heisman candidate being overlooked
On the Big Ten Network this week, Jake Butt, a Michigan football legend and Big Ten Network analyst, pointed to Jordan Marshall as a Heisman contender, while also predicting that five-star freshman Savion Hiter will be a freshman All-American.
"Jordan Marshall can be in the Heisman conversation throughout the season and freshman RB Savion Hiter should be a freshman All-American," Butt said.
Marshall finished the 2025 season with 932 rushing yards, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt. However, after the Nebraska game, the light really came on. Eventually, he took over the starting job and had four 100-yard games in Big Ten play.
Marshall was so good that he averaged a whopping 6.9 yards per rushing attempt in the Big Ten. He had 61 yards on seven carries against Ohio State on two possessions. If he doesn't get hurt, it might have been like the 1995 edition of "The Game" all over again.
Bo Jackson averaged 5.5 yards per attempt in the Big Ten last season. Antwan Raymond, the only Big Ten running back who earned preseason honors from the conference, averaged 4.9.
Jordan Marshall was the best running back in the Big Ten last season, outside of when Justice Haynes was doing his thing, and he will be the best running back in the Big Ten in 2026.
The quarterback will be better. Bryce Underwood has improved, which will make running the ball even easier for Marshall, especially with Bryce being part of the run game in the zone read. The receiver talent has been upgraded, and the offensive line should be night-and-day better.
Hiter, the freshman, might be the biggest detriment to Marshall's candidacy because he might be too good to keep off the field for long during games, leading to more a timeshare. We'll see how it shakes out, but if Marshall gets over 200 carries, he could have a season similar to Blake Corum's in 2022.
Add us as a preferred source on Google