Michigan coaches are still working on a plan for Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards

The Michigan running back room has been so loaded at times that coaches had All-Americans waiting behind All-Americans, with All-Big Ten candidates behind them. They’re reliving the past this year in that respect with two guys in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards who are among the best in the country.

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There are several capable backs behind them waiting their turn, and some will get carries. For now, though, it’s the Corum and Edwards show for Michigan in 2023.

“The sky’s the limit, as people say,” Michigan offensive line coach and coordinator Sherrone Moore said on Jon Jansen’s In the Trenches podcast recently. “These guys are special in every way. I was watching some film from this past year, and the little things those guys do that people don’t notice — the little cuts, the little moves, making somebody miss on the first, second or third level … the running over the guys, jumping over somebody, out-running them — and then the ball skills they both have. They’re elite.

“They’re as elite of a two-tandem group as I’ve been around, and they’re even better human beings and workers and guys and leaders and everything you want. They’re just outstanding individuals and outstanding humans. I’m just excited I get to coach them.”

And it’s “rich people problems” in how to divided the workload between them, Moore said in parroting a line used by many on the Michigan staff this spring. Corum is a legit Heisman candidate and will be the first one out there on Saturdays. Edwards, though, showed what he could do when his friend went down, dominating Ohio State in Columbus and again in the Big Ten championship win over Purdue.

There needs to be a plan to get them on the field at the same time. Though Moore dodged the question this spring (for the most part), there have been indications the Michigan staff is working on it. Whether that means getting Edwards more time at receiver, where he also excels, or more carries … well, we’ll just have to see.

“The cool thing is there are a whole bunch of puzzle pieces we’re trying to put together to create this masterpiece of what we want this offense to look like,” Moore continued. “When you have two dynamic players like that, obviously you have to come up with ways to get them the ball in different ways. I’m not going to tell you those ways — maybe I can tell you off the mic — but I think we have some really creative things we’re doing with those guys because they are special talents.

“At the same time, we are being smart with how we’re doing it and how we’re attacking people. We’re just excited to put them in different positions because we have a great plan, and we’re starting that right now.”

Behind them, Michigan veteran and former linebacker Kalel Mullings made a move this spring, Moore continued.

“Kalel Mullings obviously stood out. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s physical, and he’s pretty fast and has got tremendous ball skills for a guy his size,” Moore said. “So … we’re excited about him. [Sophomore] CJ Stokes is another guy who’s really coming on in the spring.”

And while one Michigan frosh, Cole Cabana, was limited by a knee injury, another stepped up in showing signs of future greatness.

“This young Benjamin Hall kid, man, he’s got some dynamic ability,” Moore said. “He’s built low to the ground, thick, huge legs. His legs are like Blake’s, maybe a little a little bigger, but he’s got a great future.

“And I’m excited about Cole Cabana. Cole kind of had some injuries and stuff he was working through, but he’s getting better. He’s fine now, so I’m excited about those young backs.”

And, without wishing the summer away, anxious to see what they can do with several more months in the weight room under their belt. The room is loaded with talent, and Moore and the rest of the Michigan coaches are ready to unleash it.