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Michigan football returns most backfield production in a decade

In 2023, Michigan football will retain more backfield talent than it has in over a decade with JJ McCarthy, Donovan Edwards, and Blake Corum all returning this fall.

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© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK | Caption: Michigan running back Blake Corum runs for a touchdown as quarterback J.J. McCarthy looks to block against Iowa during the first half of the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.

Last week, Michigan football fans were thrilled to hear that rising senior running back Blake Corum will be returning for one more season in Ann Arbor after his stellar junior campaign. Last season, Corum’s incredible year was cut short due to a knee injury suffered vs. Illinois.

With Corum’s return — as well as rising juniors JJ McCarthy and Donovan Edwards — Michigan has created one of the most dynamic trios in all of college football. There hasn’t been this much hype surrounding the Wolverines’ backfield in what seems like forever.

In fairness, there hasn’t been this much returning production by a backfield trio in over a decade, either.

2022 Michigan football backfield

Last season quarterback JJ McCarthy threw for 2,719 and 22 touchdowns, while adding 306 rushing yards and another five touchdowns with his feet. Blake Corum finished third in the Big Ten with 1,463 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, while Donovan Edwards added another 991 rushing yards and seven touchdowns of his own.

All together, the trio moved the ball 4,488 yards and found the endzone 52 total times.

Now, all three will be returning for a shot at their third straight Big Ten title and college football appearance. Both the yards and touchdowns are the most by a returning backfield trio (quarterback and two running backs) since 2012, when Michigan brought back Denard Robinson, Fitzgerald Toussaint, and Vincent Smith.

2011-12 backfield

Michigan’s 2011 trio combined for 4,802 total yards and 58 touchdowns, and helped the Wolverines finish 11-2 and win the 2012 Sugar Bowl. While it is a very impressive stat line, it should be noted that Denard Robinson (QB) accounted for most of the yards and touchdowns alone; he combined for 3,349 total yards and 36 touchdowns.

Vincent Smith only managed 298 rushing yards, which is very similar to CJ Stokes’ numbers as the third running back on the Wolverines’ depth chart this past season.

For all the talent and production that returned in 2012, the results were dissatisfying as the Wolverines fell from 11-2 to 8-5, losing games at Notre Dame, Nebraska, Ohio State and the Outback Bowl to South Carolina.

Michigan has much higher hopes for the 2023 season, returning not only the aforementioned trio but also a majority of the starters and contributors from the repeat Big Ten Championship squad this past season. It was also the Wolverines’ first-ever 13-win season.

2023 will be different

Mostly, the difference between 2012 and 2023 is that next year’s team will once again have one of the best offensive lines and defenses in the nation, as well as an excellent and experienced coaching staff. None of these things could be said about the Brady Hoke-coached Wolverines a decade ago, and the end results on the field will prove it.

The top producing returning trios of the past 40 years:

  1. Robinson, Toussaint, Smith: 2011 stats- 4,802 yards/ 58 touchdowns. 2012 results: 8-5
  2. McCarthy, Corum, Edwards: 2022 stats- 4,488 yards/ 52 touchdowns. 2023 results: ?
  3. Henne, Hart, Underwood: 2004 stats- 4,327 yards/ 29 touchdowns. 2005 results: 7-5
  4. Henne, Hart, Minor: 2006 stats- 4,308 yards/ 38 touchdowns. 2007 results: 8-5
  5. Navarre, Perry, Underwood: 2002 stats- 4,120 yards/ 36 touchdowns. 2003 results: 10-3 (Big Ten Champions)
  6. Grbac, Powers, Johnson: 1991 stats- 3,916 yards/ 40 touchdowns. 1992 results: 9-0-3 (Big Ten Champions)

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_.

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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).



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Tom Brady’s son is looking to attend the University of Michigan

The son of a Michigan legend is dreaming of attending his father’s alma mater.

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Tom Brady's son University of Michigan
Sep 17, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh laugh during warm ups prior to the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a few decades since former Michigan captain Tom Brady suited up in the Maize and Blue. From 1998-1999, the greatest football player of all time donned the winged helmet and led the Michigan football team to a 20-5 record, two bowl wins, a Big Ten title, and more during his time as a starter. Since then, the program has seen its ups and downs, and Tom Brady has seen action with two NFL franchises and won a league record seven Super Bowls — he also appeared in 10 Super Bowls. Now, decades after the fact, Tom Brady’s son is looking to repeat a bit history and attend the University of Michigan.

Tom Brady’s son, Jack, dreams of attending the University of Michigan

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Tom Brady’s ex-wife Gisele Bundchen claims that Tom Brady’s son Jack wants to attend school at his father’s alma mater. Brady, who recently played his final football game ever (assuming this retirement sticks, unlike his last one), played five years of football in Ann Arbor in the 90s. He was a part of a few Big Ten title-winning teams, as well as the infamous national championship team in 1997.

From Vanity Fair: The whole brood is thriving, and Jack remains her bonus child. “I love him so much,” Bündchen says of Jack, who is “quarterbacking”—very much a verb in this household—with aspirations of going to his father’s alma mater, the University of Michigan.

Tom Brady himself also mentioned that his son Jack has some better qualities than him — he claims that his only specialty in life, unlike Jack, is throwing a football. Like Tom, Jack Brady loves playing football and is currently a quarterback, which is something that his father plans on helping him with.

“I don’t have a lot of specialties in life other than probably throwing a football,” Brady joked. “He’s way smarter. He’s got a great work ethic. He’s just a great kid, but I can definitely help him at quarterback.”

It would be a massive move for the University of Michigan community to have Tom Brady’s son enroll nearly 30 years after his father attended. The school, program, and town have changed quite a bit since Tom Brady led his 1999 Wolverines to a 1-point win over Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl; however, Michigan’s profound love for Tom Brady has not subsided one bit. In fact, over the years, the school has grown to appreciate all that Tom does for it more and more.



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Michigan’s converted defensive back is going to be better than people think

The Wolverines have an insane athlete on their hands.

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Michigan football Amorion Walker
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR, MI — Just before the start of spring ball, the Michigan Wolverines decided that — in order to address cornerback depth issues — a former three-star wideout would be moved to cornerback. Since making this call, the massive Amorion Walker has turned into a spring ball standout, and according to coaches and players, is a freak of nature on the football field. However good you think Amorion Walker is going to be, he will likely be better.

Michigan football converted DB Amorion Walker turning out to be a stud on the football field

Since the start of Michigan football spring ball, the Wolverines’ newly converted cornerback — Amorion Walker — has been turning heads among the players and the staff. Here are some of the comments that others have made on Walker’s ability per The Michigan Daily.

“(Walker) has gifts that a lot of people don’t,” standout defensive back Mike Sainristil told The Daily during Michigan football spring practices. Walker’s unique athletic ability and mix of an incredible frame (6-foot-4, 180-pounds) “He’s 6-foot-3, moves like he’s 5-foot-10. He plays like he’s 225, he’s tall, he’s lengthy. He runs a 4.2, 4.3 (40 yard dash). His skill set is rare.”

Just because Walker came to Michigan as a receiver does not mean that he has not dreamed of getting this opportunity for awhile. In fact, Amorion Walker would have things no other way — he is ready for his new challenge.

“I always wanted to play both ways,” Walker said last week. “I still love the defensive side of the ball. That was actually the first position I ever played. So, it’s kind of where I get my background.” He continued, “I’m trying to lose the receiver tendencies that I have from playing it for a long time … Just trying to get back into the DB motion and back to where I used to be before I made the switch.”

The praise for Amorion Walker and his athletic talent are not just from outsiders, either; Walker knows that he is an incredible athlete. “I definitely am one of the best athletes in the country, for sure,” Walker said. “As far as running and jumping and being able to change direction.”



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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