Michigan back Blake Corum sees ‘a whole bunch of lightning’ at RB
Michigan running back Blake Corum was part of an outstanding running back duo last year with Hassan Haskins. Called “thunder and lightning” by their teammates, Haskins and Corum brought different styles that helped U-M win a title.
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Haskins is gone, part of the Tennessee Titans team as a rookie. That leaves Corum, sophomores Donovan Edwards and Tavi Dunlap, and frosh C.J. Stokes to make up for his loss. Though there’s no Haskins in the room, Corum believes there’s plenty of talent to get the job done.
“Having Hassan here was great. Now, it’s time for other guys to step up,” Corum said Friday. “We still have a stacked running back room. Myself, Donovan Edwards, Tavi Dunlap, C.J. Stokes — he’s a freshman, but really balling a lot really big right now.
“We have a packed running backs room with guys who can get the job done. Nothing changes, really. We obviously will miss Hassan, but we’re ready to go … we’re going to pick up right where we left off. Donovan is going to come in, get more reps now. Tavi is ready. C.J. is ready … and we still have, in my opinion, the best offensive line in the country.”
But not that power back to keep the chains moving — theoretically.
“I feel like we all have one of a kind when it comes to our skills,” Corum continued. “Donovan and myself, last year we were thunder and lighting. It’s lightning and lighting right now. That’s what I feel like. Tavi brings a little bit of thunder, but Tavi isn’t slow. C.J. is fast, too. So just a whole bunch of lightning.”
Corum did pack on some added weight, but it was almost by accident, the result of hard work. A weight room warrior, he just put in the time in the offseason, ate right and hydrated better.
The result was 212 pounds of muscle with nothing but benefit.
“That’s what it just led to. I really wasn’t trying to — it kind of just happened,” he said. “I feel good at 212, around that weight. If anything, I feel faster. It doesn’t change my game at all. Maybe brings a little more power, a little more weight with it. But nothing, really.”
Where he’s improved the most, he said, is his knowledge of the game. In addition to the physical, he’s put in hours studying film and trying to gain a better understanding for the position.
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When he’s looking at cuts and jukes, he watches Detroit Lions Hall of Famer Barry Sanders. It’s Marshawn Lynch when it comes to blocking and power, and even his running backs coach, Mike Hart, for moving the chains.
“I try to educate myself on different schemes and things I could see during the season,” Corum continued. “What I pick up from what I did last year and can help myself on is just reading blitzes better. I can always be better by studying defenses — they can bring this blitz, bring that blitz.
“Really, just my IQ for the game. That’s what I have to do is have a better IQ for the game. Studying defensive schemes so when I’m out there, I can just ball, know what they’re bringing. Know where the ball might hit before the play.”
Corum knows he’ll get his yardage, but he’s not worried about any accolades that come with it. More than anything, he’s focusing on his teammates and what he can do with them to win.
“The Team, the team, the team. That’s what I’m buying into,” he said. “It’s not about me at the end of the day. I’m going to get mine, but I’m here or the team. We want to go all the way this year, and think we can as long as we lock in.”
If they do, Corum will likely have played a huge part.
