NFL DRAFT PROFILE: Blake Corum RB/Michigan

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Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) escapes Michigan State safety Angelo Grose (15) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)(Paul Sancya / Associated Press)

Blake Corum

  • Position: RB
  • School: Michigan
  • Class: Junior
  • Height: 5-8
  • Weight: 210

Background

  • A former 4-star recruit out of High school (Laurel, MD)
  • Gatorade Player of the Year in the State of Maryland (2019)
  • USA Today All-American (2019)
  • No. 12 Ranked RB in the (2020) recruiting class
  • 3rd Team All-Big Ten (2021)
  • Led the nation in all-purpose yards per game with 221.5 in (2021)

 

Strengths

  • Patient with Vision! Does a good job of letting his blocks setup and finding running lanes
  • Short but very compact and densely built
  • Thick strong base with powerful leg drive, runs through arm tackles consistently with surprising contact balance
  • Very loose hips and fluid in his cuts, keeps his feet under him with very little wasted movement
  • Physical runner between the tackles and doesn’t shy away from contact. Willingly will lower his pads and finish runs
  • His ability to read & react on the run while in the open field is outstanding
  • Explosive in space with long speed and is a terror once he reaches the second level
  • Runs with good body lean, will fall forward for extra yards 
  • Dependable in goal-line situations, small stature aids in his ability to cut through trash and find the endzone 
  • Displays elite burst when bouncing runs to the outside and turning the corner with enough acceleration to outrun angles

 

Weaknesses

  • Unforced and decent blocker but lack of size hinders him in pass pro when he has to stand up rushers
  • Short Strider! Has an explosive second gear but takes time for him to reach top speed
  • Narrow shoulders and his overall frame may limit his ability to consistently run between the tackles at the next level
  • Has the receiving skills and quickness in space to be a big threat in the passing game, but hasn’t shown much route tree wise
  • College play strength vs NFL play strength 

 

Overview 

Corum is a very dynamic and tenacious playmaker at the running back position that also provides high value in the return game. While being shockingly productive in short-yardage situations at Michigan, his lack of height and bulk are both legitimate concerns on Sundays, and a receiving game deficient of complexity raises questions about him even being a 3rd down back. He has his limitations in stature which inherently lead to some of the aforementioned concerns, but he’s athletic and dynamic enough with the ball in his hands to affect the scoreboard whether lined up in the backfield or back deep returning kicks.