Could Blake Corum make a return to Michigan in 2023?

As all Michigan fans have seen by now, Blake Corum claims he is “50/50” on returning for his senior season in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines’ Heisman contender may not be finished in the Maize and Blue just yet, but would coming back actually make sense?

Decision should come down to draft stock

Throughout the 2022 Michigan football season, one thing has reigned true: Blake Corum is one of (if not the) best players in college football. Through 10.5 games, Corum compiled over 1,400 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, all while keeping his name in the Heisman conversation.

There are few players that have as big of an impact on the game as Corum did this year — both on and off the field. If Corum is to return, it would be a massive addition to an already-loaded 2023 Michigan football team.

At the end of the day, regardless of the circumstances or my personal feeling towards Corum’s choice, it is exactly that: Blake Corum’s choice. The Wolverines’ standout running back should do what is best for him, which will likely come down to his NFL draft stock.

Corum may not be what the NFL is looking for

In today’s NFL, running backs are more or less dispensable. They have a far shorter shelf life than other, more valuable positions, such as quarterback, and there is a plethora of running back talent on the market.

Over the past few seasons, we have seen running backs come and go all over the league — they’re easily replaceable and carry far less valuable than wide receivers, quarterbacks, or even offensive linemen. The NFL is no longer a running back’s league; instead, modern professional football is about speed and skill.

Don’t get me wrong; Blake Corum is an amazing talent and a fantastic running back. At the college level, he is one of the most impactful players in the sport and should be a favorite for the Heisman if he is to return in 2023.

That being said, he might find the transition into the NFL challenging. For starters, Corum is a smaller back — he stands at 5-foot, 8-inches, and weighs in at 210 lbs. While it is not impossible to make a name for yourself in the NFL at his size, it is hard to pull off.

Corum also tore his meniscus against Illinois in Michigan’s nail-biting 19-17 win back in late November. 2022 marks the second straight season that Blake Corum has missed time due to injury, which is not something that NFL scouts will like to see.

Where will Blake Corum fall?

An undersized, frequently hurt running back is in low demand. While I could see someone gambling on him early, I don’t think it is likely, and therefore Corum could be taking a significant pay cut.

As funny as it may be, Blake Corum is not even the most-touted running back in his class according to PFF. That title belongs to Bijan Robinson out of Texas.

Corum is by far a better college running back than Robinson, though Robinson fits the mold that NFL teams are looking for right now.

According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, Blake Corum will not be a day-one guy, giving Corum a 1.8 percent chance of being drafted in the first round. The database projects Corum will go No. 70 overall (Rd. 3) and has his best-case scenario at No. 33 (Rd. 2).

Does it make sense for Blake Corum to stay?

I hate comparing athletes from two different sports, but it feels too accurate not to do so in this scenario. Hunter Dickinson — Michigan basketball’s top player over the last 2.5 years — could have left after his freshman performance in 2020, yet he chose to stay. Why? Because he will make more money, develop more, and gain more publicity from staying at Michigan.

Corum is in a similar boat now, especially with the recent (and ever-growing) NIL funds and opportunities around Ann Arbor. The Wolverines could use Corum in 2023, and it looks like he could have a solid shot at the Heisman and potentially a National Championship.

At the end of the day, there are two sides to this story that both make sense. On one hand, the Wolverines’ star tailback could go pro, fulfilling a childhood dream and betting on himself at the next level. On the other, Blake Corum may want to stay, earn his degree, work on his game, and make a run at the Heisman and another Big Ten Championship/CFP berth in 2023.

I know what my preference is, but at the end of the day, I hope Corum chooses what is best for him and his path.