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Former Michigan Football Running Back Chris Howard Talks About 2023 Wolverines

By Chad Fisher

22 Nov 1997: Tailback Chris Howard of the Michigan Wolverines (left) runs with the ball as linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes (right) runs toward him during a game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 20-
22 Nov 1997: Tailback Chris Howard of the Michigan Wolverines (left) runs with the ball as linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes (right) runs toward him during a game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 20- /
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Coming into 2023, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards might give Michigan football its’ most talented group of ball carriers since that great ’97 season.

Michigan football nearly produced two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season for the first time since 2011 when Denard Robinson and Fitzgerald Toussiant broke the 1,000-yard barrier.

In 2022, Blake Corum ran for 1,463 yards and Donovan Edwards came up just shy of the mark, amassing 991 yards rushing. The talented backs will look to give Michigan football only its third 1,000-yard rushing tandem in the same season since 1975.

Former Michigan football running back, Chris Howard, a member of the 1997 national title team, believes they’re certainly the best running duo in the country, “I don’t know who else in the country is doing what those two guys are doing,” Howard said in an exclusive interview with GBMWolverine.com.

The former Wolverine also praised the offensive line:

“I think a lot of that credit goes to the offensive line. With the improvement the offensive line has made under (co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach), Sherrone Moore has allowed for us to really see the true skills of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. And I think that’s what makes them the best duo in college football. Because either one of those guys is a home run threat. They’re pretty physical, they both can catch the ball out of the backfield.”

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 19: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines fights for extra yards against Calvin Hart Jr. #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Michigan Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 19: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines fights for extra yards against Calvin Hart Jr. #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Michigan Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

Howard went on to say they’re both exceptional pass protectors. And the coaching staff doesn’t have to take them off the field during obvious passing downs because of their ability to protect quarterback JJ McCarthy and catch the ball. He also believes they’re both three-down backs.

“They’re super talented, running behind a super talented offensive line. It’s gonna be very hard to beat them.”

One of the goals of Sherrone Moore will be to make sure his stable of backs is healthy heading into the biggest games of the season. Last year, Blake Corum was well on his way to being a Heisman Trophy finalist, if not the award’s frontrunner, before a knee injury in the Illinois game derailed his season.

Corum tried to play against Ohio State, but ultimately couldn’t go more than a few snaps. After the game against the Buckeyes, he was shut down for the remainder of the season. The senior running back could’ve opted for the NFL Draft but decided to come back to the Wolverines for one final run at a national title.

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