In the Trenches: Corum Chats About His Development, RBs Mindset, Workout Routine
5/13/2021 9:00:00 AM | Football, Features
In this week's edition of the "In the Trenches" podcast, Jon Jansen sits down with running back Blake Corum to discuss his development since coming to Michigan, the mindset of the running back room, the importance of his strict workout routine, his fit into the Wolverines'Â offense, and the team's goals heading into the season.
By Brian Boesch
University of Michigan running back Blake Corum expected to make an impact as a true freshman, and the coaching staff granted him that opportunity during the pandemic-shortened season. A four-star recruit and the 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year in Maryland, Corum had at least one touch in all six games last season, accumulating 150 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns.
The Wolverines' new-look coaching staff expects even more out of Corum in his sophomore season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said as much last month, stating that "the bulk of the carries are going to go" to Corum and Hassan Haskins. To prepare for that, Corum continued his rigorous workout regimen, while enhancing the mental side of his game.
"I knew I could play. I know I had speed. I had power, but I feel like I was lacking the IQ part, so I really took time and got in the classroom, really just to understand everything," Corum told Jon Jansen on this week's episode of the "In the Trenches" podcast. "I can definitely tell a big difference in my game, just by being able to read the defense."
"I feel like I'm an all-around back," Corum continued. "I feel like they can use me anywhere on the field, and I'm going to give it everything I have wherever I'm at."
Corum and Haskins seem to lead the way in Michigan's young and deep running back group, though true freshman Donovan Edwards turned heads during Michigan's spring practices, and several others will vie for playing time. Corum appreciates the mindset of his position group, even though the competitiveness is high among them.
"Iron sharpens iron, so we're going to get better every day," Corum said. "We're going to push each other to the max, and at the end of the day, we're here for each other. We're family, so that's the way I look at it, and I feel like that's the way the rest of the RB's look at it. If anyone has a question, we come to each other, and we figure it out."
While Corum spends more time around his fellow running backs than most other position groups, he feels like that approach permeates the entire program, and is essential as the team gears up for fall camp and the season opener.
"We really bonded this spring, and I feel like it was needed," Corum said. "The mindset I feel like we have, and we have to have, going into this season is that no one can stop us. The only people that can stop us is ourselves, and we're not going to let that happen.
"The expectation is -- just win."
