The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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24 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2023 through," he said. "I love playing for the University of Michigan. I love going to The Big House and leaving it all on the field. I love the community. I love inter- acting with everyone … "This was a tough decision — a busi- ness decision. I think I have unfinished business. I didn't like the way I went out in The Big House. I don't like people remembering me being hurt. So I will be coming back for it all next year … com- ing back for it all." That wasn't Corum's only reference to a possible national championship in 2023. He left no doubt about what "all" means as it relates to his final season in a Michigan uniform. "I will be back at the University of Michigan ready to excel and just do ev- erything we've been doing, but really to just finish it all," Corum said. "We're so close, and I believe in my teammates. I believe in the new team, Team 144. It's going to be a beautiful thing. "It's going to take a bunch of work, a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but I'm ready to run it back. I'm ready to con- tinue to be in the community. I'm going to get my degree and leave my legacy." A likely captain for 2023, Corum en- joyed a legitimate shot at the Heisman Trophy had he not injured a knee (torn meniscus, slightly sprained medial col- lateral ligament) in the regular season's penultimate contest against Illinois. Even with what essentially consti- tuted a season-ending injury, Corum rushed for 1,463 yards and 18 touch- downs. He caught an additional 11 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. Corum acknowledged consoling Mc- Carthy following the ill-fated TCU loss, in which the quarterback tossed a pair of pick-sixes. He noted McCarthy "has a fire lit under him right now," and said he can't wait to watch the further develop- ment of a "tremendous quarterback." He also left a message for Michigan fans. "It's going to be full of success for the University of Michigan," Corum said. "We're going to grind our butts off, at- tack this offseason, and we're going to repeat it. We have unfinished business, like I said, and we'll finish it off in 2023. "I'm excited for the Michigan fans lis- tening. I'm going to give you everything I have. I'm going to attack this rehab and come back better than ever. I can't wait to see you guys in the fall." He'll also be seeing key veteran of- fensive linemen return, given recent announcements. Senior guard Trevor Keegan will be back for one more year, along with junior guard Zak Zinter, both anchors of a line that earned the Joe Moore Award for best offensive line in the nation. Senior wide receiver Cornelius John- son — who caught a pair of touchdown passes in the first half of Michigan's win at Ohio State this year — also indicated he's staying around in 2023 along with captain and nickel back Mike Sainristil, linebacker Michael Barrett and defen- sive end Kris Jenkins. T h e m a ny h a p py re t u r n s m a ke statements on multiple levels, Bacon asserted. "Corum and Edwards will get all the attention, but without Zinter and Keegan and that O-line — that's as im- portant as Corum coming back," he said. "Man, what a huge boost, for a line that has won the last two years, and what a healthy sign for Michigan football. "It tells the fans that NIL is working, certainly well enough. If not elite, it is not a non-factor. And my guess also is, they were betting on Harbaugh's return. They know more than we do." WOLVERINES HEAD FOR THE NFL AND THE PORTAL Many of Corum's teammates won't see Michigan fans gathered on Sept. 2 for an expected bloodletting against East Carolina — at least from beneath a winged helmet. Between advances to the pros and the transfer portal, the Statements, Twitter Tea Leaves Fill The Information Gap None of the principals in a Jim Harbaugh contract revision have been doing much talking. Key players, though, attempted to fill the void with tweets or state- ments released in the days approaching mid-January. University of Michigan President Santa Ono — an unabashed fan of Michigan football and U-M athletics in general — posted this update on Twitter Jan. 12: "I'm pleased to share that I have been having very positive and constructive conversations with our athletic director and football coach. Warde Manuel and I both want to see Jim Harbaugh stay as the head football coach of the University of Michigan Wolverines." Harbaugh responded to President Ono's tweet with a message of his own: "I am in full support of President Ono's message to our fans and appreciate his support of me and our team." Manuel chose to weigh in after Michigan received a notice of allegation of NCAA rules violations by the football program. They reportedly included Har- baugh having contact with recruits during the COVID-19 dead period and using a defensive analyst for on-field coaching activities. Manuel stated the following in a released statement on Jan. 6: "Yesterday, we received draft allegations from the NCAA regarding our football program. We have cooperated and will continue to cooperate with this investigation. Out of respect to the NCAA's enforcement process, we will not offer further comments." Some close to the football program indicated clearing up the NCAA matters — with Michigan officials vowing to stand behind Harbaugh in getting that done — will then open the door to a revised contract settlement and moving forward. No contract figures emerged in the initial "Harbaugh's back" confirmation tweets Jan. 16. That should be soon to follow. — John Borton John U. Bacon, noted author on Michigan football "Short of a national title, these two years are the best two years in Michigan football history since 1947-48. … All the more reason for Michigan fans to be grateful for what Har- baugh has done."