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Next Elite Michigan Football RB May Already Be In Ann Arbor

When Blake Corum leaves, this Michigan football freshman could become the program’s next elite running back.

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Michigan football, Blake Corum, Benjamin Hall, running back
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Over the past four years, Blake Corum has undoubtedly become a Michigan football legend. This year, Corum broke the school record for rushing touchdowns in a single season (24) and tied the record for rushing touchdowns in a career (55) — he still has one, maybe two, more games to improve on those numbers as well. That said, all good things must come to an end, including Corum’s tenure as RB1, as he will be leaving U-M after the current season ends. Still, behind Corum, there is another potentially elite running back rising in the ranks: freshman ball-carrier Benjamin Hall.

Benjamin Hall could be the next elite Michigan football running back

Next year’s Michigan football running back room is a pretty big question mark right now. We know that Blake Corum intends on leaving after the 2023-24 season, and Kalel Mullings will likely be coming back for another year with the Wolverines.

On top of that, Donovan Edwards remains an unknown, and there is a chance that Michigan hits the transfer portal for another back, though a pair of current freshmen (Ben Hall and Cole Cabana) and one incoming back (Jordan Marshall) in the class of 2024 have the team’s RB room in elite hands.

Hall has been turning heads since day one with the Wolverines

Benjamin Hall enrolled early as a true freshman in 2023, appearing as a standout player for the Wolverines during the spring game on April 1. There, Hall carried the ball 13 times for 96 rushing yards and a touchdown, giving Michigan football fans their first look at what he brings to the table in Ann Arbor.

Soon after, Hall started to impress on the field in real games during the little time that he got behind Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. This fall, Hall has 15 carries across three games for a total of 69 yards — that’s 4.6 yards per carry. In fact, nine of his carries this season are from the Wolverines’ 52-7 win over Indiana, where he had 58 rushing yards, a team-high against the Hoosiers.

Blake Corum on Benjamin Hall: “I knew he was gonna be great”

Hall’s impressive game against Indiana had heads turning around Ann Arbor; in fact, after the win, Blake Corum had some high praise for Benjamin Hall.

“Ever since he (Benjamin Hall) got here, I knew he was gonna be great,” Blake Corum said. “You know, I can’t wait to see how he transforms over the next couple of years. He’s gonna be one of the best to do it. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s quick, as we saw last Saturday. I was really impressed, but he’s been doing that every day at practice. You know what I’m saying? So I wasn’t too surprised, but I was happy for him. He’s gonna be great, like I said.”

Blake Corum could turn out to be very right about Benjamin Hall, as many believe he could quickly turn into the next elite Michigan football running back when Corum inevitably leaves.



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CJ has covered college athletics in paid roles for around five years, including numerous sports and beats. His most recent work revolves largely around Penn State and Michigan football and basketball as a member of the credentialed media at both schools. Right now, CJ writes for Blue by Ninety, where he also serves as the site's credentialed football reporter. He also does some credentialed basketball coverage. Previously, CJ has made stops with sites like GBMWolverine, Saturday Blitz, Steeler Nation, and more.

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