'I'd cut my arm off': Michigan RB Blake Corum tells all-time Jim Harbaugh story, talks 'electric' offense

It’s often said that Jim Harbaugh — a former college and NFL quarterback nicknamed ‘Captain Comeback’ and now the Michigan head coach — is at his best when his back is against the proverbial wall.

That was certainly true last season, when Harbaugh, fresh off a salary cut and disappointing 2020 season, led Michigan to its first win over rival Ohio State in a decade and first Big Ten title since 2004. From players to coaches, sheer willpower was a huge factor in the turnaround from a 2-4 record to a 12-2 mark and College Football Playoff berth.

While appearing on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast with Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, Michigan third-year sophomore running back Blake Corum told a Harbaugh story that epitomizes the coach’s competitiveness and strong desire to win.

“It was during camp last year. It was after practice, we were in the team room in a team meeting, and he started telling us these stories about him playing,” Corum began. “He started talking about how he would cut his arm off. He was being dead-ass [serious]. He said, ‘Yeah, I’d cut my arm off to be able to play again or beat Ohio State.’

“So the guys are really just locked in like, ‘He’s being dead ass,’ because Coach Harbaugh doesn’t joke. He was being dead serious about cutting his arm off. He was like, ‘I’d cut everything off.’ And some people were giggling, and he’s like, ‘What’s funny?’

“When it comes to football, that’s like all he cares about sometimes, I think. He just cares about football.”

Blake Corum tells an all-time Jim Harbaugh story

“He said, I’d cut my arm off to be able to play again or beat Ohio State.”

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— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) March 22, 2022

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Known for his strong work ethic — he’s said he prides himself on “outworking people” — Harbaugh puts in the hours, setting the tone at the top. That mentality has rubbed off on his players, who put it all together in the Michigan coach’s most successful season in Ann Arbor.

“I’ll be driving down State Street sometimes and just look in the parking lot — it’ll be 10:30, 11 o’clock at night — and his car’s still there,” Corum said. “I’m like, ‘Yo, he sleeping here tonight or something?’”

Blake Corum talks Ohio State, Michigan’s ‘electric’ offense

Corum had an offer from Ohio State, but despite the Wolverines’ track record of falling to their rival in the recent past, he wanted to be part of a group that turned the tide. He did so last season, rushing for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns, including a 55-yard dash that set up a touchdown in the 42-27 win over the Buckeyes.

“I’m the type of person where, if something hasn’t been done, I want to go do it,” Corum explained. “We ain’t beat them … I’m gonna go beat them. I ain’t never lost to Ohio State.

“COVID year, we didn’t play ‘em. Last year, we beat ‘em. I ain’t never lost.”

Corum said beating Ohio State was great, but he and his Michigan teammates knew accomplishing that goal was just one of several, including winning the Big Ten title and making a run at the national title. The Wolverines were blown out by Georgia in the Orange Bowl, but feel the experience is still something to learn from.

“I was hot; I was pissed,” Corum said of the 34-11 setback. “It was tough, because they were whooping our ass from the jump. 

“After the game, you just kind of soak it all in. I think I took a week off, just to refresh the brain, get ready to get back on this grind. I feel like now we know what it takes to get there. But I was pissed, I was hurt.”

Michigan’s offense has evolved through Harbaugh’s time in Ann Arbor. It started as more of a pro-style and west-coast attack, before switching to the spread when former coordinator Josh Gattis joined the staff in 2019. Last season, though, Michigan went back to some of the old ways — gap run schemes, etc. — and found success. Gattis left for Miami this offseason, but the Wolverines are building on what they did a year ago, with most key contributors returning.

“I love the offense,” Corum said. “It’s a mixture of power, speed in space, and then we throw the ball to the tight ends a lot and we get it to the wideouts. He uses the running backs — we go out wide. So it’s a little mixture of everything, which I love. I like running down hill, but I also like running to the outside, using my speed. I love it. I think he’s done a great job. 

“We’re actually putting some things in this spring ball. I’m not going to say too much. It’s going to be good, that’s what I’ll say. It’s gonna be electric.”