JJ McCarthy, Blake Corum reflect on their decisions to choose Michigan

JJ McCarthy and Blake Corum reflected on their choice to come to Michigan. Once sought after recruits, the two spent the last three and four years, respectively, helping build a program and won a national title.

They both wanted to play for Jim Harbaugh and it paid off in the end. After falling short two years in a row in the College Football Playoff, the Wolverines got over the hump.

There’s no place Corum would rather be, that’s for sure.

“This is the best university in the world,” Corum said. “I’m so blessed to have a degree from the university. You can’t fail there. You have so much support. So much help. We have the academic center. We can get tutors when we want and the professors are good. You can’t fail. 

“And they make sure of that and that degree, that degree from the University of Michigan will set you up for the next 40 years. I’m so glad I chose and these guys chose — I know I can speak for them because I know they’re glad as well — but we chose the University of Michigan. It’s such a prestigious school, as you said.”

Then, Harbaugh chimed in on his running back’s statement.

“I’m really glad you chose Michigan, too,” Harbaugh said. 

“This is another reason why I came, by the way,” Corum replied

McCarthy elevated his game over the last two years and it certainly made a difference for Michigan. He was a hyped prospect coming in and it paid off Monday night. Just like the SEC, it just means more at Michigan.

“I would just say Coach Harbaugh hit on it last night,” Harbaugh said. “It takes a lot more than just being a football player to be a Michigan man. Everything that — the rigorous school schedule, the rigorous football schedule, it just forges us into these Michigan men. Couldn’t be in a better spot. Like Blake said, greatest university in the world.”

Corum will head to the NFL after coming back for his final season while McCarthy’s decision is up in the air. He could certainly opt to run it back with the Wolverines.

However, McCarthy might get a first round grade in some NFL mock drafts.

All of that is to-be-determined. But for now, McCarthy and Corum will have a place in Michigan history: undefeated national champions. All thanks to that recruiting process.