There are a lot of reasons to rotate running backs from play to play. Ideally, you have a perfect, three-down running back who never gets hurt or makes mental mistakes . . . but those are rare.
Hit the jump for a discussion of eight reasons to sub in new running backs.
Name: Blake Corum Height: 5’8″ Weight: 193 lbs. High school: Baltimore (MD) St. Frances Position: Running back Class: Freshman Jersey number: N/A Last year: Corum was a senior in high school (LINK). He ran 145 times for 1,266 yards and 19 touchdowns. TTB Rating: 83
Running backs always get a lot of attention and hype, and Corum is no exception due to his running style and production against high-level opponents, such as Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei. He ended up as a 4-star, the #12 running back, and #128 overall and played in the All-American Bowl.
Corum enrolled early at Michigan, which didn’t help with practice time because of the coronavirus pandemic. On the plus side, Corum has posted videos of himself doing some tough workouts on his own, and he’s going to be 20 years old by the time the 2020 season wraps. (By contrast, Giles Jackson played his 2019 season at the age of 17.)
Corum’s freshman season will probably be pretty boring from a playing time perspective. Last year’s co-starters (Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins) both return, as does former starter Chris Evans, who was suspended in 2019. Corum will probably be the fourth running back, at least if he can beat out Christian Turner, which I think he can. That should help him get his feet wet for a bigger role in 2021.
Prediction: Backup running back
Hit the jump for some highlights from his 2019 season.
Michigan wrapped up a decent recruiting class earlier in February. There are no 5-star recruits, but the Wolverines got a fair share of 4-star guys. For a historical perspective on where they match up with recruits from the past, here’s a look at where they slot in all-time, according to the 247 Composite.
A.J. Henning – WR – Frankfort (IL) Lincoln-Way East 2020 ranking: #101 Historical ranking: #80 all-time at Michigan Flanked by: RB Kareem Walker (#100 in 2016) and DT Will Johnson (#105 in 2004) Closest positional comparisons: Toney Clemons (#96 in 2007) and Adrian Arrington (#115 in 2004)
Braiden McGregor – DE – Port Huron (MI) Northern 2020 ranking: #122 Historical ranking: #103 Tied with: WR Tarik Black (#122 in 2017) Closest positional comparisons: Aidan Hutchinson (#112 in 2018) and Chris Wormley (#129 in 2012)
