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Michigan the only program with two players on PFF's top 10 returning running backs list

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•02/06/23•

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Michigan running back Blake Corum
Mike Mulholland | Getty Images

A year ago, when asked how he views Michigan Wolverines football‘s running back duo of he and junior Donovan Edwards, senior Blake Corum said, “a whole lot of lightning.” Corum proved himself to be one of the top players in the country last year, before a late-season injury cut things short, while Edwards established himself as a force to be reckoned with as well.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked the top 10 returning running backs in the country ahead of the 2023 season, and both Michigan ball carriers made the list that Corum topped. Edwards checked in No. 9. Michigan is the only school in the country with two players to appear on the rankings.

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Corum rushed for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2022, appearing in 12 games but only playing 10 full contests. PFF named him its ‘Heisman Trophy winner’ at the end of the regular season.

“Corum was arguably the best running back in college football last season, making him an easy choice for No. 1 here,” the site’s Max Chadwick wrote. “His 96.2 grade didn’t just lead all players in the country, it was the best PFF has ever seen from a Power Five player.”

Corum edged out other top players from past seasons that registered 96 grades.

NameSchoolPositionSeasonGrade
Blake CorumMichiganRB202296.2
Kyle PittsFloridaTE202096.0
Chase YoungOhio StateEDGE201996.0
Quinnen WilliamsAlabamaDI201896.0

“Corum’s 96 combined rushing first downs and touchdowns were the second most in the country, behind only Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim, who received 72 more carries,” Chadwick continued. “The junior should be on the shortlist of favorites to win the Heisman Trophy next season.”

Edwards missed three games with injury himself, and played banged up with a cast on his right hand during the final three games of the season. That didn’t hold him back from being crucial to Michigan’s efforts against Ohio State, Purdue and TCU. He racked up 520 yards and 3 touchdowns in those three games combined, part of his 991-yard, 7-score season on the ground. He also added 18 catches for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“Edwards was expected to become a breakout star in 2023 with Blake Corum seemingly entering the 2023 NFL Draft, but now that Corum is returning, Edwards continues to be the best No. 2 running back in the country,” Chadwick wrote.

“The sophomore led all Power Five running backs this past season with 7.1 yards per carry. His 87.0 grade tied for fifth in that same group. When Corum went down with a knee injury late in the season, Edwards stepped up when it mattered most. Against Ohio State, Purdue in the Big Ten championship game and TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinal, he ran for a combined 520 yards and averaged 7.4 yards per carry.”

PFF’s top 10 returning running backs

  1. Blake Corum, Michigan
  2. Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss
  3. Raheim Sanders, Arkansas Razorbacks
  4. Bucky Irving, Oregon
  5. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
  6. Trey Benson, Florida State
  7. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
  8. Miyan Williams, Ohio State
  9. Donovan Edwards, Michigan
  10. Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss

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