The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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28 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JANUARY 2024 drives, free youth football camps in Vir- ginia and Michigan," he detailed. "Christ- mas giveaways. You name it. I'm trying to get in the community as much as I can." Those who have met him understand it's more than a good-guy look. It's from the heart, and part of the fabric of who he is and what he's been taught down through the years. "I think you know how good of a player he is, but he's that good of a person as well, on and off the field," Harbaugh said. "As rock solid of a guy … I remember be- ing around guys, and myself, you're going to make mistakes when you're that age. He's never made a mistake, he's never said a negative word. He's the most positive, hardest-working, best guy that anybody could coach." "He's just an unbelievable teammate and person to be around," offered Michi- gan quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell. "You go from the turkey drive he's done now three years, to just being around him as a person. He's always a joy to be around. He has a unique perspective. He's a country kid, but he went to a city school, so he has both backgrounds. "He helps the quarterbacks because he lets us know if there's something he's seeing as far as blitzes, or protection- wise. We all just collaborate together. He's just another special part of this pro- gram and why Team 144 at Michigan is just unbelievable. It's an honor for me to be around him. I cherish that oppor- tunity." "I believe in being present because, especially with the platform that I have, being present goes a long way," Corum said. "Seeing the smiles on someone's face, talking to them, means a lot. I try to be in the community as much as I can to make a difference." Corum made the Allstate Good Works Team this year and went beyond — he's the honorary captain. Allstate, in con- junction with the American Football Coaches Association, chooses the team, on the basis of community service. "Blake is a solid example of compassion and an ardent advocate for community involvement," Allstate VP and GM of sales Troy Hawkes said. "His unwavering com- mitment has made a positive impact, and we anticipate it will continue to do so." That's the plan. "Being a part of a team like that with all of these other athletes — it's an indescrib- able feeling," Corum told FOX. "Being a captain of my football team was a great honor. And being a part of the Allstate Good Works Team is right up there with it because you're making a difference. "You make a difference in the com- munity, you're helping change lives. You're not just on the field playing football, but you're in the community giving hope to someone that maybe doesn't have hope or someone's been down for a while — you're there making them laugh and smile." There's one football-related item that could make Corum laugh and smile, of course. That's winning it all. That's no small mountain to climb. Ala- bama in the Rose Bowl will test the Wol- verines to their limits, and both Wash- ington and Texas have their eyes on the prize as well. No excuses. Corum stands ready to rumble. "It feels great," Corum said. "To have three, back-to-back-to-back champion- ships, it's a wonderful feeling. We've kind of changed the narrative of how people look at Michigan. It feels great, but like Kobe Bryant said, 'The job's not finished.' We set these goals at the beginning of the season, and we hold ourselves to such a high standard, we must accomplish these goals." No matter what happens, nobody will question what Corum accomplished, on and off the field. ❏ Corum In The U-M Record Book Here's a quick look at senior running back Blake Corum's standing in some key categories heading into the College Football Playoff. He's carved out a place among Michigan's elite and could break the tie as Michigan's all-time rushing touchdowns leader against Alabama on Jan. 1. — John Borton MICHIGAN CAREER RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS Rk. Player Rushing TDs Years T1. Blake Corum 55 2020-23 Anthony Thomas 55 1997-2000 3. Tyrone Wheatley 47 1991-94 4. Denard Robinson 42 2009-12 5. Mike Hart 41 2004-07 6. Chris Perry 39 2000-03 7. Rick Leach 34 1975-78 8. Steve Smith 31 1980-83 T9. Billy Taylor 30 1969-71 Tom Harmon 30 1938-40 Hassan Haskins 30 2018-21 MICHIGAN SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS Rk. Player Rushing TDs Season 1. Blake Corum 24 2023 2. Hassan Haskins 20 2021 3. Ron Johnson 19 1968 T4. Anthony Thomas 18 2000 Chris Perry 18 2003 6. Anthony Thomas 17 1999 T7. Tom Harmon 14 1940 Rob Lytle 14 1976 Jamie Morris 14 1987 Chris Perry 14 2002 Mike Hart 14 2006 Mike Hart 14 2007 Denard Robinson 14 2010 MICHIGAN CAREER RUSHING YARDAGE Rk. Player Yards Years 1. Mike Hart 5,040 2004-07 2. Denard Robinson 4,495 2009-12 3. Anthony Thomas 4,472 1997-2000 4. Jamie Morris 4,393 1984-87 5. Tyrone Wheatley 4,178 1991-94 6. Butch Woolfolk 3,861 1978-81 7. Chris Perry 3,696 2000-03 8. Blake Corum 3,520 2020-23 9. Rob Lytle 3,317 1973-76 10. Billy Taylor 3,072 1969-71 Corum works just as hard in the community as on the field, and his annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaways have made a huge impact. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER ❱ Head coach Jim Harbaugh, on Corum "I think you know how good of a player he is, but he's that good of a person as well, on and off the field."