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ORLANDO, Fla. — As Michigan continued its preparation for Alabama in the VRBO Citrus Bowl in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines got a pleasant surprise, due to something of a loophole in NCAA rules.
The maize and blue welcomed a handful of players it just signed in the 2020 class to join practice, getting their first taste of putting on a winged helmet officially, before they ever even set foot in a classroom or moved into their college dorms.
Naturally, Michigan is focused on the challenges presented by the formidable Crimson Tide, but getting some guys in early for three days to take in their future surroundings, it was an opportunity to get them acclimated early and help them find their bearings.
“I think it was very beneficial from a team chemistry standpoint, just mixing those guys in, you know, kind of getting them around some of their teammates, and really kind of showing those guys how we practice and the culture that we have in practice,” offensive coordinator Josh Gattis said. “There wasn’t a ton of work that they could do, obviously. We were focused on our opponent coming up and moving along in our game preparations. But very, very pleased.
“You know, offensively we had Zak Zinter and then we had Blake Corum there early and really pleased with both of those young men and what they displayed.”
Ironically, the latter mentioned Corum is here in Orlando this week preparing for a game — just not the same one.
Corum is preparing to take part in the Jan. 2 Under Armour All-America game, held at Camping World Stadium — the same stadium the team he’s joining will play in the day before.
Speaking with ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren, Corum shared how his experience went getting to suit up for the maize and blue for the first time.
Michigan running back signee Blake Corum spoke about participating in Michigan’s practices already and the adjustment to a college practice pic.twitter.com/YdXuQjaLrO
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) December 28, 2019
“I recently went to Michigan’s bowl practices. The first two days, I was able to go helmets, do all the individual drills, meetings,” Corum said. “The last day I was able to go helmet and shoulder pads. The individual drills again. All the meetings. I also got to do team.
“Overall, it was a great experience. I’m definitely ready to go as spring ball hits. I can’t wait!”
But what was it like?
There were obviously some differences going from the high school level to the college ranks, but given Corum’s experience playing under former Michigan assistant Biff Poggi, the head coach at Baltimore (MD) St. Frances Academy, there was some familiarity to how things work.
“It was definitely faster,” Corum said. “But I feel like I fit right in. It wasn’t much of a difference coming from a powerhouse high school, but it was definitely a difference. Everybody was flying to the ball. The speed of the practice was faster. Everyone’s locked in the majority of the time. It was great.”
Gattis said on Sunday at the VRBO Citrus Bowl media availability that he’s excited about Corum’s prospects, as he’s a game changer that could see early playing time.
Sharing more, Gattis was pleased to get some early work in with those incoming freshmen, but simultaneously, he and the team have not lost sight of the Alabama juggernaut it’s about to face down.
“Blake’s got a unique ability to be explosive with the ball in his hands and we’re excited about him,” Gattis said. “But, you know, we’re going to welcome those guys back in January and they’re going to have to really get back to work. It’s going to be a different set and it’s going to be a different team. It’s going to be new opportunities and new challenges, and so we look forward to welcoming those guys on campus.
“But, first and foremost, we’ve got to take care of the job that we’ve got at hand with this game.”
“I think it helped me a lot, just getting the three practices in before spring ball,” Corum said. “Once spring ball hits, I’ll be ready now, because I already practiced. I think it benefitted me.”
As a high school senior, Corum accumulated 1,266 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns to go along with 8 catches for 152 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air.