The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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[ R U N N I N G B A C K S ] 56 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Deep AnD elite Michigan Might Have The Best 1-2 Punch In The Country With Running Backs Blake Corum And Donovan Edwards BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan has had its share of run- ning backs over the years that could carry an offense, too good to share carries. Players like Tshimanga Biakabutuka (1995), Chris Perry (2003) and Mike Hart (2004-07) were bell cows who simply had to be on the field most of the time. But the Wolverines have also had their deep rooms in the past, throughout the 1970s and into the early 1990s, especially. It's been a while, though, since they've had a duo quite like Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. The senior Corum carried the water for much of the season last year, but many suspected Edwards would shine when he got his shot, too … and that's exactly what happened. Corum racked up 1,457 yards and 18 touchdowns in 10.5 games before going down with a knee injury just before half- time of the Illinois game. That included 108 yards in that one, too, before the un- thinkable happened on a cold, blustery day in Ann Arbor. With Edwards out due to a hand injury, U-M struggled to get the running game going and needed three Jake Moody field goals to pull out a win. Both Michigan running backs were in doubt for Ohio State, and few gave the Wolverines a chance. Corum shut it down after 2 carries for 6 yards. Edwards, though, played with a cast on his right hand and learned to carry with his left, ripping off 75- and 85-yard touchdown runs in the fourth quarter as part of a 216-yard day in a 45-23 Michigan win. He'd add 185 in a Big Ten title win over Purdue, one of the best two-game stretches for a U-M back in recent memory given the circumstances. "This guy has 401 yards in the last two games," head coach Jim Harbaugh marveled after his team's win over Purdue in Indianapolis. "You want to talk about big games? This guy comes alive in the big games. "Blake Corum has been a warrior, too, that same way. But … those are two su- preme backs, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards." Maybe the best in the country. They're biased, of course, but the Michigan coaches wouldn't trade them for any duo in college football. "We've got the best running back group in the country," Michigan offensive coor- dinator and line coach Sherrone Moore insisted. "People can argue with me all day. I'm not going to argue because I'm just going to tell you … it's Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, who I think is probably the most dangerous athlete in the country. Those two guys are elite. They're spectacular. They're unbelievable kids, and the room is so deep behind them." Corum's decision to return, helped in part by the Champi- ons Circle collective's One More Year campaign designed to get NIL money for the back and oth- ers, sent shockwaves through the conference. It all but assured the Wolverines would have the best running back room in the Big Ten for another year. One of the team's hardest workers, Co- rum bulked up to 222 pounds in the off- season while rehabbing his knee. He was on the path to being a Heisman Trophy fi- nalist last year before the injury — maybe even a favorite to win it — and should have a legitimate chance this season. Edwards, meanwhile, is right there with him, and even better as a pass catcher. Running backs coach Mike Hart said Ed- wards could probably start at slot receiver for most teams in the country — that's how versatile he is. Moore wouldn't predict how many more touches Edwards would get this year or if he'd play the two backs together, giving a "you'll see" MICHIGAN'S SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING LEADERS Rank Player Yards Year 1. Tim Biakabutuka 1,818 1995 2. Anthony Thomas 1,733 2000 3. Jamie Morris 1,703 1987 4. Denard Robinson 1,702 2010 5. Chris Perry 1,674 2003 6. Mike Hart 1,562 2006 7. Rob Lytle 1,469 1976 8. Blake Corum 1,463 2022 9. Butch Woolfolk 1,459 1982 10. Mike Hart 1,455 2004 Last season, Corum racked up 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns despite going down with a knee injury in Week 11 and logging only 2 carries at Ohio State. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN