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Michigan football: Blake Corum’s impact at U-M goes far beyond the field

Over the past three years, Michigan football fans have fallen in love with running back Blake Corum. His presence is vital to Michigan’s success, both on and off of the football field.

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© Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK | Oct 1, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) in action against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Since Blake Corum’s first snap with Michigan football in October 2020, the Wolverines’ standout running back has become a fan favorite due to his work on and off the football field. As Corum eyes his senior season in the Maize and Blue this fall, we would like to appreciate how vital Corum’s presence is to Michigan’s program.

Blake Corum is the building block of Michigan’s success

Throughout the 2022 Michigan football season, one thing became clear early and remained true: Blake Corum is the cornerstone of the Wolverines’ success. We have all heard the stories of his incredible work ethic by now; the coaches locking him out of the weight room so that he didn’t hurt himself has become an iconic story around Ann Arbor.

But Corum is more than a work-ethic-myth; he is arguably the second most important man in the building, behind only Jim Harbaugh himself.

Blake Corum’s presence is said to drive others — he is so dedicated to improving himself that everyone around him cannot help but follow. In a world of NIL, the NFL Draft, the transfer portal, and more, Corum seemingly helped Michigan retain most of its star players heading into 2023. Blake Corum announced his return to Ann Arbor before Jim Harbaugh announced that he would be Michigan’s head coach this fall.

Corum has been a massive part of the Wolverines’ culture change from 2020 to 2021, a much-needed change that took Michigan football from 2-4 Corum’s freshman year to 12-2 and 13-1 in the two seasons that followed. There is a legitimate case to be made — perhaps one that no one will argue — that without Corum, Michigan does not win back-to-back Big Ten Championships in 2021 and 2022.

Corum is just as influential on the field

While we cannot say enough about Blake Corum’s leadership with Michigan football, there is much to be said about his on-field results. Last season — despite only seeing action in 10.5 of the Wolverines’ 14 games before going down with a knee injury — Blake Corum still managed to stay in Heisman contention as a running back.

Additionally, Corum was named a 1st team All-American, a 1st team All-Big Ten selection, and won the Big Ten’s Silver Football Award, which is given annually to the best player in the conference.

Throughout the Wolverines’ 2022 campaign, Blake Corum carried the ball 247 times for 1,463 yards (5.9 average) and 18 touchdowns. On top of that, Corum caught 11 passes for 80 yards and one touchdown during Michigan’s historic 13-1 Big Ten Championship season.

Blake Corum will be an essential piece of Michigan’s 2023 team

As we turn the page from Michigan’s incredible 2022 season to the 2023 season, Michigan football has high expectations. Despite winning 25 of their last 28 games — including two Big Ten titles and wins over Ohio State — Michigan expects even more out of its 2023 squad.

While Michigan’s 2021 and 2022 seasons were both incredible, the Wolverines fell short in both College Football Playoff games and are yet to win a National Championship (or appear in the title game, for that matter).

With its stars returning (such as rising senior Blake Corum), the Wolverines will pursue a third-straight conference championship with even more ambitious goals this fall.

Blake Corum enters the 2023 Michigan football season with the 11th-best odds to win the Heisman (33/1), and is the highest-ranked non-quarterback in the current Heisman odds.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebookand Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com or DM him on Twitter, @CJsWrld_.

FOOTBALL

New Michigan transfer has endless praise for JJ McCarthy on and off the field

A fellow Michigan quarterback had endless praise for starter JJ McCarthy

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Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR, MI — Most people would look at a player like Michigan’s rising junior quarterback and jump to conclusions. Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy was a five-star high school recruit, and is currently the starting quarterback at one of the biggest and most influential universities in the world. On top of that, he just led his Wolverines to a 13-1 season — the winningest in program history — including wins over Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State, not to mention the Big Ten title and CFP appearance.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Michigan football quarterback Jack Tuttle — who just transferred into Ann Arbor from Indiana — gave insight on who JJ McCarthy truly is on and off the field.

JJ McCarthy is more than a football player, says new Michigan football quarterback transfer

No one would blame JJ McCarthy for being cocky if he were to be — he backs it up on the field and appears to have everything in the world going for him. Still, McCarthy finds time to just be himself; regardless of his circumstance, McCarthy remains true to the person that he wants to be.

“Most people would kind of look at a guy like J.J., quarterback, big-time guy, they might think he’s arrogant or something. That dude is the most down-to-earth person,” Tuttle told the media. “I can’t say this enough — a great human being, great football player. I love being around him.”

On top of being a good man, JJ McCarthy is one hell of a quarterback, Michigan football quarterback Jack Tuttle says.

“Obviously Michigan gets under center, multiple, there’s a lot of stuff on offense — footwork wise, I’m looking at that like ‘wow’. I haven’t really been under center since high school. Looking at his footwork and how he’s progressed over the past couple of years and just taking little things that he does and maybe implementing it.”

While JJ McCarthy headlines the Michigan football quarterback room, Tuttle claims that the Wolverines are loaded at QB heading into the 2023 season.

“That whole quarterback room, I’m just stoked to be in there. Such good dudes. Really love the guy so far,” Tuttle said of McCarthy. “It’s been phenomenal. I can’t wait to see where we go.”



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan football to host NIL Pep Rally ahead of Spring Game

Thursday afternoon, more exciting news came out regarding Michigan’s annual Spring Game

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Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh talks with reporters before the Fiesta Bowl against TCU on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Michfiesta2 122822 Kd 2277

For Michigan football fans, the anticipation is rising as the annual Spring Game draws closer with every waking minute. On Thursday afternoon, the University of Michigan announced they would host a NIL Pep Rally before the Spring Game on April 1.

It’s no secret that coach Jim Harbaugh loves to put on a show for the fans, so this news should come as no surprise. Here is everything we know so far.

What can be expected?

Attending the event is a star-studded list, as coach Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan football team plan to make appearances. Aside from the football team, 180 athletes across ten University of Michigan athletic teams will attend. Along with meeting some of these student-athletes, many will be available for autograph signings at the event.

Along with the opportunity to meet some of your favorite student-athletes, fans can participate in various activities. There will be face painting, tailgate games and a photo booth. Finally, former star Wolverines Jon Jansen and Jake Butt will be making an appearance for a special Chalk Talk.

Pep Rally Details

The event, presented by the leading NIL collective Valiant Management Group, will occur on April 1, 2023, in Crisler Center. The event is set to occur between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in preparation for the spring game, which will take place in the Michigan Stadium.

Just last year, the team celebrated the opportunity to play in their first spring game since 2018. Now, it appears coach Harbaugh is ready to get back in action and get the fans even more involved. Tickets for the event are $30; kids 12 and under can get in free with a paying adult. To purchase your tickets, click here.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Major outlet ranks Jim Harbaugh as No. 1 coach in the Big Ten

A major outlet ranked Jim Harbaugh as the best coach in the Big Ten.

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Jim Harbaugh of Michigan football
Dec 31, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh throws prior to the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

ANN ARBOR, MI — Over the past two seasons, the entire identity of the Michigan Wolverines’ football program has changed. Before 2021, the Michigan football team was coming off of a 2-4 season in 2020; before that, the Wolverines were managing 8-10 wins per season, though consistantly losing to Ohio State, their bowl game, and saw frequent losses to Michigan State and Penn State. Since that 2021 season, everything has changed for Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines — in fact, Harbaugh is now thought of as the best coach in his conference.

Jim Harbaugh changes everything for Michigan football in 2021

After arguably the worst season in Michigan football history (2020), Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines decided to go all-in on the 2021 season. At his Big Ten media presser, Harbaugh claimed that Michigan would accomplish its goals (beating Ohio State, Michigan State, winning the Big Ten, and more) or “die trying.” The Wolverines did exactly that — Michigan football finished the regular season with an 11-1 record after downing Ohio State 42-27 in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines then won the Big Ten title for the first time since 2004; however, were dominated by Georgia in the CFP.

A season later, Michigan football appeared to improve as Jim Harbaugh led his team to a 12-0 finish — including massive 20+ point wins over Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State — before winning the program’s first-ever 13th game in a single season. While the Wolverines still fell short against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, the 2022 season was monumental for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football.

Heading into the 2023 season, Michigan appears to have its best roster during the Jim Harbaugh era (since 2015). In fact, right now, the Wolverines come into the season favored against every major program that it must face: Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State. If the Wolverines aren’t competing for a Big Ten title this year, most fans will call the season a disappointment.

On3 ranks Harbaugh No. 1 in the Big Ten

Of the 14 coaches in the Big Ten, On3 claims that none are better than Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh. Here is what On3 had to say about Harbaugh and why he is ranked No. 1:

It took some time, but Jim Harbaugh fulfilled his promise of beating Ohio State and delivering his alma mater a Big Ten Championship. 

Then he did it again last season. The Wolverines are 25-3 the last two years, with a pair of conference titles and College Football Playoff berths. While Harbaugh has downplayed some of the major cultural and philosophical changes he made before the 2021 season, he deserves credit for pivoting and overhauling his staff. 

In eight years at Michigan, Harbaugh has five seasons with at least 10 wins. Although the yearly NFL rumors remain a distraction, the Wolverines don’t look like they’re going to slowdown at all under Harbaugh, either. They bring back a loaded squad in 2023 — with Harbaugh supplementing the depth chart with several key additions from the transfer portal — and will be the favorites to three-peat in the Big Ten. 

While I weigh the present more than the past, Harbaugh’s coaching resume also includes jumpstarting Stanford’s program (12-1 season in his final year) and four years with the San Francisco 49ers where he never had a losing season, played in the NFC Championship Game three times and lost to his brother John Harbaugh in the Super Bowl.

The next three coaches behind Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football are: Ryan Day (Ohio State), Luke Fickell (Wisconsin), and James Franklin (Penn State).



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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