Michigan Football: The curious case of Thunder and Lightning

Blake Corum 📌Laurel, Maryland (4-Star)

Blake Corum is the exact definition of a workhorse — no excuses put everything you have into everything you do. Essentially, he’s a product of the Mamba Mentality and emodies it well.

Corum grew up in Marshall, Virginia which has a population of roughly 2,000 people according to the 2018 Census Estimates. Growing up in a small farmtown he learned the fundamentals of hardwork and what it takes to be great.

He attended St. Frances Academy in Baltimore rushing for a little under 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns in his senior season. St. Frances was ranked 4th nationally with Corum being a 4-star recruit which was good for 129th nationally.

Unlike Haskins, Corum was a highly touted recruit taking visits to schools like Ohio State and Michigan State, but about a week after his visit to Ann Arbor he committed to the Wolverines. After a few more visits and winning Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year he was on campus and ready to get to work.

Corum’s first season was impacted due to Covid-19, and after the poor season the Wolverines had, he was ready to contribute to something special. After just 26 attempts in his first season he went back to work and grinded his way up the depth chart.

The departure of players like Zach Charbonnet and Christian Turner who were both high profile recruits opened the doors for Blake Corum to get big-time reps in his sophomore season.

While we knew that Corum was a special talent we had no idea he was going to have the season he had.

Corum started the season off fast, and impressively, being the main focus in the best rushing offense in the country.

However, that success was not shortlived and he continued it all throughout the season. Corum unfortunately was sidelined and missed a few games with an injury, but he exploded in his return against the Buckeyes breaking off an impressive run and exploding for 82 yards on six carries.

Corum matched that performance with 74 yards on just five carries against the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship. The Hawkeyes defense was ranked in the top 10 in rush defense and the Hawkeyes were walked over by Corum in his limited role.

We’ll get to see Corum more than likely in a bigger role against Georgia in the College Football Playoffs, but we still have at minimum another year of him tormenting Big Ten Defenses.

His story is a story of someone who cuts no corners and puts in the work, similar to Haskins. However the season ends, I am glad that I got to witness Thunder and Lightning in person and all throughout the season.

Accolades at Michigan (via mgoblue.com)

• All-Big Ten selection (third team, coaches, honorable mention, media; 2021)
• CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 (2021)
• One-year letterman (2020)
• Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 13, 2021)

Career Rushing Highs at Michigan (via mgoblue.com)

• Attempts: 21, 2x – last vs. Rutgers (Sept. 25, 2021)
• Yards: 171 – vs. Washington (Sept. 11, 2021)
• TDs: 3, 2x – last vs. Northern Illinois (Sept. 18, 2021)
• Long: 67 – vs. Washington (Sept. 11, 2021)