Michigan's Blake Corum Driven By Team Success Over Individual Accolades

Michigan's Blake Corum put his NFL dreams on hold for one more year in Ann Arbor, and his 'team first' mentality is exactly what the Wolveirnes need.

After suffering a season-ending injury in Week 11 of the 2022 season, Michigan's Blake Corum had a massive decision to make - pursue his dream of playing in the NFL, or return for one last season in Ann Arbor. 

Corum chose Ann Arbor. 

“I thought about it, prayed about it, talked to my parents, and talked to my close family members," Corum said back in January. "At the end of the day, it’s bigger than football.  It’s about finishing my education, getting that degree from Michigan. It’s about the community, it’s about the University of Michigan. It’s about leaving that legacy and going to get what I came here for.

Although it took a few weeks into the season for Corum to feel like himself again, Michigan's RB1 is clearly back to 100 percent - leading the nation in rushing touchdowns with 12 on the year. He's also now third all-time in career rushing touchdowns at the University of Michigan with 43, trailing only Tyrone Wheatley (47) and Anthony Thomas (55). 

Although individual achievements and accolades are certainly important to any player, Corum is far more interested in team success and winning on Saturdays. Meeting with the media on Monday, the senior running back made that point clear. 

It's all about the team.

🗣️ @blake_corum#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/QI6YLOwVKg

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 16, 2023

"Most importantly is the team success," said Corum. "That's what I'm most happy about. Everyone is eating, whether it be myself, whether it be Roman, JJ, the freshman, everyone's getting a little piece of the pie. Obviously I would love to rush for 150-200 yards a game. I would love to have 20-plus carries, you know? But at the end of the day, I don't really care. I'm going to do what I do best, and do what I can with the opportunities that I'm given. And as long as we win, I don't care."

As far as the legacy he hopes to leave behind, that goes well beyond stats and where he ultimately lands within the Michigan record books.

“I just want to leave a legacy," Corum said. "It doesn’t matter about the stats that I put up. I just want to be remembered. I want to be remembered as a guy that changed a lot -- on the field and off the field. Obviously, stats are cool. I want to be up there with the greats. But when I talk about legacy, I’m not really talking about just football or football stats. Really just me the human being. When I walk into the room, can you feel my energy? Can you feel my smile? Do I make a difference? That’s how I want to be remembered.”