Blake Corum reflects on Michigan career ahead of Rose Bowl: 'I've grown as a man [and] I've grown spiritually'

PASADENA, Calif. – The Michigan Wolverines are putting the finishing touches on their Rose Bowl prep with nothing guaranteed moving forward. After Monday finishes, U-M is either headed to Houston or closing the book on a storied chapter of program history a bit earlier than expected.

For senior captain and running back Blake Corum, that has provided the opportunity to reflect and leave it all on the line.

In a little over a week, it will have been one calendar year since Corum surprised everyone and decided to run it back for one last season at Michigan. Coming off torn meniscus surgery, there were bumps in the road along the way. But Corum learned a ton about himself in the process, which served as a springboard into a 2023 season that saw him finish with 1,028 yards rushing and a program-record 24 rushing touchdowns.

“I’ve grown as a man [and] I’ve grown spiritually,” Corum told The Wolverine at Rose Bowl media day on Saturday morning. “I’ve learned a lot just throughout the journey, throughout the trials and the tribulations, you could call it. What I’ve learned is that I’m a happy guy, man. I’m always trying to make someone else smile. If someone’s down, I’m always picking them up.

“It’s trying to see the best in the world. Every time I wake up, it’s a blessing. Every time I get to wake up and breathe and smell and stand, I just thank God for everything. But what I realized around along my journey was that I didn’t practice what I preached.”

Corum’s surgery came with a six-month recovery designation that came with little down he could return to his vintage form, but the Michigan back still had some doubt along the way in his recovery. A return is still grueling for any athlete. He admitted that some doubts became to creep in, both physically and from a faith-based perspective.

“When I did get surgery, I fell into a little hole where I started doubting myself,” Corum said. “Maybe I even doubted God at some point, and that wasn’t me. Everyone else is saying, ‘You got this, you’re gonna be good. You gotta see the light at the end of the tunnel.’ And I wasn’t doing that. So that’s something I learned about myself. That’s where I became more spiritual. I connected with God more. It’s been good. Like I tell everyone, I’m blessed. I don’t want to say I’m glad I got injured, but it helped me become a better man and I appreciate it.”

Had things gone according to plan, Michigan would have won the Fiesta Bowl last year and earned a spot in the national title game against Georgia at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area. Instead, his injury occurred at the end of the season, the Wolverines lost in the College Football Playoff, and Corum came to the Los Angeles area for surgery and rehab.

“I’ve thought about it a lot, and God works in mysterious ways,” Corum said. “This time last year, I was getting treatment in California, where I got surgery in California as well. God works in mysterious ways and now I’m back in L.A., but I’m helping this time and it feels great.

“It’s crazy what a year can do. It’s like, dang. I was on the sidelines watching the guys and now I’m back. But I’m healthy, feeling good and excited to go.”

He does not feel like Los Angeles has a curve or a bad vibe attached to it, though. but he and the Wolverines have a chance to win one of the biggest games of them all in arguably the most iconic venue in college sports. It may not be destiny, but it could wind up being a nice bow on what Corum has been through.

“It would mean a lot,” Corum said. “Not just because of the injury or anything like that. But just to win the game, after the games that we played in the past two years, To win and finally get over the hump, it would mean a lot. It’s not about, just cause I got surgery in L.A. and that’s bad juju, but it would mean a lot just to win for Michigan. To do it in L.A. and at the Rose Bowl… it doesn’t get better than that.”

Corum cited a vast network of alumni and getting a Michigan degree as two reasons that made the journey worth it, regardless of what his football life looks like after this season. The Sport Management major feels like he has accomplished everything he has set out to as an individual.

“It was the best decision I ever made in terms of football. In terms of my degree, we have the biggest living alumni base in the world, and Michigan shows that they love their players. They love the university and they’re always trying to help in any way they can. It really wasn’t even about football. It was about setting myself up for my future and my family up for the next 40 years. And I’ve done that.

“I already won because I have a Michigan degree. I won at life. That Michigan degree goes a long way. That Michigan connection goes a long way.”

He continued: “Though my career is ending, it’s been the best four years, with the best fan base, blessed to have such a wonderful university. it’s been wonderful. I’m taking these last moments in, it’s been a heck of a journey, a heck of a ride.”

Michigan and Alabama’s showdown in Pasadena kicks off at 5:10 p.m. ET on Jan. 1 from the Rose Bowl. As of Saturday afternoon, the Wolverines are a 1.5-point favorite over the Crimson Tide. The winner heads to Houston on Jan. 8 for the national title game against either Texas or Washington.