Unfinished business: Blake Corum is gunning for a national championship in 2023

It has been months since Michigan football running back Blake Corum injured his knee and was sidelined for the remainder of the 2022 season. At the time, Corum was a major Heisman Trophy candidate; despite going out with an injury against Illinois in Week 12, the all-star running back racked up over 140 yards on a top-3 defense in less than one half. In the weeks that followed, Corum missed out on some of the largest games in Michigan history: a massive win over Ohio State, a second-straight Big Ten title, and the Wolverines’ second-ever trip to the College Football Playoff.

Untimely injury sets the stage for a historic comeback

Throwback to last year when Donovan Edwards & Blake Corum had huge TD runs on back to back offensive plays against Penn State.

The roar of the crowd on Blake’s run has me ready to be back in the Big House immediately. pic.twitter.com/RteOlHiz0Q

— Blue By 90 (@bluebyninety) May 16, 2023

In a shocking post-season move, Blake Corum announced that, despite being on every NFL Draft board, he was coming back to Ann Arbor for a senior season. Now, with a healed injury and more ambition than anyone on the planet, the Wolverines’ star running back has unfinished business.

This fall, Corum is coming for it all — nothing less than a national championship will do.

Michigan football running back Blake Corum is gunning for a national championship in 2023

In a recent interview with On3, Michigan football running back Blake Corum made it clear that everyone wanted him to go to the NFL, but he felt that there was more for him to accomplish at the University of Michigan. From finishing his degree to winning the Wolverines their first national championship since 1997, Corum has loads of lofty goals this fall, all of which appear to be quite achievable for Michigan football.

“The NFL’s not going nowhere. So what’s one more year? I’m getting all these pros: my degree, the chance to win a national championship, the chances of leaving a true legacy, chance of being a hero, I’m in the community here big time, so I get one more year with the community, charities, and just giving back,” he said to On3. “There are too many pros for just something that’s always going to be there, so it was all about the bigger picture coming back honestly.”

Despite bigger goals, Corum has been impressive at Michigan thus far

Throughout his tenure in Ann Arbor, Blake Corum has consistently established himself as one of the nation’s most formidable players. His exceptional performances on the field, coupled with an array of awards and honors, have solidified his status as an elite talent.

In terms of statistics, Corum’s impact at Michigan has been undeniable. Over the course of three years, he has carried the ball 417 times, amassing nearly 2,500 yards with an impressive average of 6.0 yards per carry, and finding the end zone 31 times. Making his mark as a freshman in 2021, Corum showcased his explosive potential by rushing for 952 yards on 144 carries, averaging an impressive 6.6 yards per carry, and scoring 11 touchdowns.

In his sophomore season as a full-time starter in 2022, Corum elevated his game even further. He proved to be a force to be reckoned with, carrying the ball 247 times for 1,463 yards at an average of 5.9 yards per carry, resulting in 18 touchdowns. Demonstrating his versatility, Corum also showcased his skills as a receiver, making 40 receptions for 294 yards, averaging 7.4 yards per reception, and adding two touchdowns to his impressive tally. Notably, he made a career-long reception of 41 yards before sustaining an injury against Illinois.

Corum’s outstanding performances have garnered him a plethora of awards and honors. In 2022, he was recognized as a Unanimous First-Team All-American and emerged as a finalist for the prestigious Doak Walker Award. Additionally, he claimed the esteemed Chicago Tribune Silver Football and became the first player in Michigan’s history to be named the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year. Corum’s consistent excellence earned him All-Big Ten honors twice, as he received consensus first-team recognition in 2022 and was named to the third team by coaches with an honorable mention by the media in 2021.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Corum has also excelled academically, being acknowledged as a CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 member in 2021 and earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in both 2021 and 2022. His outstanding performances on the field have garnered him individual recognition, including being named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week in September 2021 and sharing the Co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week title in September 2022. Within the team, Corum has been lauded as the Most Valuable Player and has received accolades such as the Toughest Player and Blue Collar Awards in 2022.

In a notable feat, Corum tied the Michigan program record by scoring five touchdowns in a single game against UConn on September 17, 2022. His exceptional skill set, combined with his consistent success and impressive accolades, firmly establish Corum as a standout player and a true asset to the Michigan football program.

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