Harbaugh To Corum: "If I Were You, I'd Go To The League"

Following the 2023 season, Michigan running back Blake Corum had a big decision to make: return for his senior season or declare for the NFL Draft.

Following the 2023 season, Michigan running back Blake Corum had a big decision to make: return for his senior season or declare for the NFL Draft. Fortunately for Michigan Football fans, Corum elected to stay for another year in Ann Arbor. 

Reflecting on his decision making process with The 33rd Team, Corum listed a number of factors that played a role in his decision to return to Michigan - including the legacy he wanted to leave behind. 

"If I leave, I'm going to miss the combine - something I've been dreaming about since I was a kid", Corum said. "If I leave, did I leave the Big House like that? What are people going to know me for? Getting injured, or are they going to know me for being in the Heisman race?"

𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 | 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 (ep. 1 of 6)

On what was supposed to be his final game at the Big House, @blake_corum suffered a season-ending injury

The @UMichFootball star RB opens up on the injury, recovery and decision to return to Michigan

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) May 15, 2023

As part of his decision making process, Corum also discussed his options with head coach Jim Harbaugh. In addition to encouraging Corum to get the much needed surgery to repair his torn meniscus, Harbaugh also encouraged his star running back to enter the NFL Draft. 

"Coach Harbaugh, he said get the surgery," Corum recalled. "He told me to go to the league. I said, 'Coach, what would you do?' He said, 'If I were you, I'd go to the league.'"

Even though its obviously in Michigan's best interest for Corum to return, it isn't all that surprising that Harbaugh's advice was to enter the NFL Draft. As is often the case, Corum's late-season injury proved just how quickly things can change for star athletes with dreams of playing football at the highest level. Encouraging his top running back strike while the iron is hot is exactly what you'd expect from a selfless coach who's looking out for the best interest of his players. 

In addition to looking out for Corum's future, Harbaugh also has the luxury of having another Heisman-caliber running back in Ann Arbor with Donovan Edwards. In Corum's absence, Edwards was absolutely dominant down the stretch in 2022 and proved more than capable of serving as Michigan's RB1. 

After much consideration, Corum felt that there was too much left on the table to accomplish at Michigan. 

“I’m a Michigan man, through and through," Corum said during an appearance on In the Trenches podcast. "I love Michigan, I love being here. And so you know, it was a tough decision. But I will be coming back for my senior year. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win it all. So I hope Team 144 is ready, I’m gonna make sure they’re ready. Best believe I’ll be back in the community, bringing everyone together.

“And like I said, I’m a Michigan man through and through, and I’m so happy to be back. It was a tough decision, but I know it’s the right decision. And, I can’t wait to be back in The Big House the right way this time. Last time I left it, I left it with a knee injury. But, I’ll be back full force and ready to take on a new challenge. And win it all.”