The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 55 And, as he's said many times, he's not just happy to have him back because of his football abilities. Harbaugh has made it clear in the last several years just how unique his running back is as a young man who has always seemed to have a maturity beyond his years. As one of the Wolverines' more fortunate NIL beneficiaries, Corum understands well that nothing he's accomplished has been his alone. He leaned on his parents and the rest of his inner circle when he weighed the decision to come back, relying heavily on their input. After all, he said, they're the ones who have helped shape him into the person he is today. When he first started receiving his NIL checks, he wasted little time in sharing the wealth. He spent the holidays deliv- ering turkeys and food to local families in need, ran camps for kids and did his part to help where he could. "My parents instilled that in me from a young age," Corum said. "I watched them do it over and over again. "God gave me the ability to use my tal- ents and make money through NIL. I've been blessed. I'm not hurting for any- thing, so why not help people that could use it? Try to help change their day and their year, maybe even their life? "It's just something I've always been into. I'm going to always continue to give back, whether I have millions of dollars or five dollars. I'm going to always find a way to give back to the community and try to help others." He didn't even sulk when thieves stole his beloved car in the winter, a gift from his parents. He simply used the insurance money to buy a sporty truck, one he'll use to continue his charitable endeavors. When September comes, though, he'll be all about football, and Harbaugh will be thrilled to have him there. The coach smiled when reminded of the advice he'd given his star before his surgery. "That was my opinion," Harbaugh said. "He wanted to have a full offseason where he could train and prepare and be at his best for the combine and bring his best to a team. That's who he is. I was quick to say, 'I support that, as well.'" Just as he's supported all his guys who have potentially life-changing opportu- nities in front of them. Michigan's NIL efforts brought several back this year, thanks in large part to the Champions Circle collective's "One More Year" cam- paign. Offensive linemen Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter and several others are back because of it, joining Corum in the quest for a national title. "I think the guys and myself are even hungrier right now the way we're ap- proaching everything," Corum said. "We're approaching it like we haven't done anything yet, because to be quite honest we haven't. "We might have beaten Ohio State and won the Big Ten championship back-to- back years, but at the end of the season, who is remembered? Georgia, right? "Nobody really remembers Michigan beating Purdue. They remember the team that was last standing." The work ethic in the building has been … Corum-esque. As one of the veterans, Corum has been at the forefront, even though he hasn't been 100 percent. He's taken his cues from running backs coach Mike Hart, his mentor when it comes to the way he approaches the game. It's led to a confidence that's perme- ated the entire team. "We're hungrier than ever, and we're attacking everything. There are some great vibes," Corum said. "I can tell if we keep it up like this, we're going to get there." Led by their special senior back, a star who plans to make his last act his best. ❑ Michigan's Top Running Tandems Of The Last 40 Years 5. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, 2022: Corum ran for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns, dominating much of the season behind the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line. He started the Big Ten season with 243 yards in a win over Maryland, the first of eight straight games over 100 yards. Edwards took over when Corum got hurt and ran for 401 yards combined in the win over Ohio State and Big Ten title game against Purdue, finishing the season with 991 yards. They'll be back in 2023 for another go. 4. Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum, 2021: Haskins enjoyed a breakout season in which he carried for 1,327 yards and a program season-record 20 touchdowns. His 5-TD game against Ohio State was one of The Game's legendary performances. Corum finished the season with 939 yards and averaged a whopping 6.7 yards per carry as part of the "thun - der and lightning" duo that kept defenses off balance. 3. Denard Robinson and Fitz Toussaint, 2011: Notice we didn't title this "running back" tandems. That's because we knew we had to include Robinson, one of the most dynamic runners in Michigan football history. He was at his best early in his career, but he still ran for 1,176 yards and 5.3 per rush, the same year Toussaint put up his best season with 1,041 yards, averaging 5.6 per carry. Robinson and Toussaint both went on to short NFL careers, injuries plaguing Robinson throughout his. 2. Tony Boles and Leroy Hoard, 1988: Like Corum and Haskins, "lightning and thunder" was how many described this combination, one that led the Wolverines to a Big Ten title. Boles ran for 1,408 yards, averag - ing 5.2 yards per carry, and Hoard put up 752 with a 5.8 yards-per-carry average and had a Rose Bowl MVP performance in a win over USC. The two would help lead Michigan to a Big Ten title again in 1989, though Boles would suffer a knee injury that derailed his career. Hoard became the Cleveland Browns' second-round draft pick in 1990. 1. Tyrone Wheatley and Tshimanga Biakabutuka, 1994: Wheatley returned for his senior season but was banged up in practice, forcing the Wolverines to turn to Biakabutuka. He broke out for 131 yards in a win against Boston College to start the year and finished with 102 against Notre Dame in a road win on his way to 783 and 6.2 yards per carry. He'd notch four 100-yard games that season. Wheatley returned in Game 3 and notched five 100-yard games of his own on his way to 1,144 yards. — Chris Balas This offseason, Corum hosted his second annual BC2 football camp for youngsters in Nokesville, Va. PHOTO COURTESY BLAKE CORUM