Blake Corum raves over the improvement he's seen from JJ McCarthy in spring

Spring practice is underway for the back-to-back Big Ten champs in Ann Arbor, MI. The Wolverines are coming off of a season where they came up just short in the College Football Playoff semi-final against TCU. Michigan was without their Heisman hopeful at running back Blake Corum. That left quarterback JJ McCarthy to do all the heavy lifting. And the sophomore was able to handle himself well except in the aforementioned matchup with TCU. McCarthy made two costly throws that TCU picked off and ran back for touchdowns. Without those pick-sixes, the outcome would’ve likely been in Michigan’s favor.

In their practices, the Wolverines have been doing everything with the mindset of building off of their success from last season. And so far, McCarthy has impressed his teammates in practice. The progress he’s shown in the spring has caught the eye of Corum, whose spending time right now developing his eyes for coaching while on the mend.

“He grows each and every day. He attacks every day,” said Corum. “He’s in there watching film, just trying to be the best he can be. … I see the progression, I see the progress he’s making. I’m excited to see what he does.”

McCarthy’s last game is one that he and the rest of the Wolverines would love to have back. Despite passing for 343 yards, rushing for 52, and accounting for three touchdowns in the game, McCarthy spotted TCU 14 points with the two pick-sixes. But all the blame doesn’t fall on the quarterback. The Wolverines’ defense had one of, if not the worse, games of the season. Michigan gave up 488 yards of total offense to TCU. Not to mention, they allowed the Horned Frogs to convert 50 percent (8-16) of their third downs in the game.

Corum discusses being ‘coach’ during Michigan spring game, evaluates strength of running back room

For the first time since suffering a knee injury that knocked him out at the end of his 2022 season, Corum is back on the sidelines at The Big House for Michigan’s spring game on Saturday. He’s not playing in the game, though, as he works his way back.

Instead, he’s taking on a new role.

“I’m Coach Corum for today,” Corum told Big Ten Network’s Brooke Fletcher. “Getting my guys right, just trying to get this dub against Coach Hart.”

Coach Hart is, of course, Michigan running backs coach and Wolverines icon Mike Hart. He’s on the other sideline as Corum leads the Blue team during the game. But this is a different role for Corum, donning a headset instead of a helmet and pads.

Still, he has some simple advice for his players.

“Just have fun,” Corum said. “Do what you guys have been doing all spring. … Play hard, play angry, play aggressive and really, just do what you’ve been doing. Have fun. That’s what I told them.”