Tag: Blake Corum

NFL draft rumor: Chargers ‘will do what it takes’ to select Blake Corum

The Chargers could have their eyes set on the productive running back from Michigan.

There are a handful of Jim Harbaugh’s former Michigan players who could appeal to him when the Chargers are on the clock, but he could have his eyes set on one specific player.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, it is believed that Harbaugh is expected to target running back Blake Corum.

“No running backs are expected to go in the first round, and there’s a great variety of opinion on which one will be the first back selected this year,” Graziano said.

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“… I’ve spoken to scouts from multiple teams who think Michigan’s Blake Corum might be the best of the bunch and believe Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers will do what it takes to make sure he’s reunited with his college coach.”

Corum was productive for the Wolverines this past season, rushing for 1,245 yards and a program-record 27 touchdowns en route to the school’s national title. He finished his collegiate career with 58 rushing scores.

Corum isn’t the youngest player, set to be 24 this upcoming season and already has plenty of mileage used. But he has the patience, vision, and quickness to be an effective back in the NFL.

Los Angeles signed Gus Edwards and recently, JK Dobbins. But as they look to run the ball at a high level under offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Chargers might feel that Corum is the final piece to the puzzle.

Breaking down picks for Chargers in The Draft Network’s 4-round mock draft

The Chargers kick off the draft by selecting Rome Odunze.

As the 2024 NFL draft inches closer, The Draft Network’s Damian Parson released his latest four-round projections.

To kick things off, the Chargers stand pat at No. 5 overall after the Cardinals select wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and take WR Rome Odunze.

At 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, Odunze is a talented receiver with great size, good route running and savvy, strong hands and contested catch ability.

Odunze set a school record this past season with 1,640 receiving yards, the most in the NCAA. His 92 receptions were just two shy of a single-season program record, and he was named a first-team all-American.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has already had a good look at Odunze when Washington faced Michigan in the National Championship game. Odunze finished with five catches for 87 yards.

In Round 2, Los Angeles beefs up the offensive line with the selection of Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton.

Guyton is a raw player at the position, having only started playing tackle in college after being a defensive end. However, he is a great athlete with the physical ability to mold into a good NFL starter.

Guyton could sit behind Trey Pipkins and continue to develop his game before taking over at right tackle.

In Round 3, the Bolts get a familiar face for Harbaugh by picking running back Blake Corum.

After signing Gus Edwards, Los Angeles is still building their backfield, and they see Corum as a complement.

Corum was productive for the Wolverines this past season, rushing for 1,245 yards and a program-record 27 touchdowns en route to the school’s national title. He finished his collegiate career with a whopping 58 rushing scores.

Corum isn’t the youngest player—he will be 24 this upcoming season—but he has already put in plenty of mileage. He has the patience, vision, and quickness to be an effective back in the NFL.

With their first selection in Round 4, L.A. addresses the secondary with cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. Pritchett is well-built for the position, with the speed and foot quickness to stay in phase with receivers and the versatility to play inside/outside and in different coverages.

Five picks later, Harbaugh takes another Michigan player in wide receiver Cornelius Johnson. Johnson is a big-bodied deep threat with raw athleticism and good playmaking ability to make contested catches. He is also physical in the run-blocking department.

2024 NFL draft: Chargers hosting RB Blake Corum on visit

The Chargers are bringing in a running back that Jim Harbaugh is familiar with.

The Chargers are hosting former Michigan running back Blake Corum on a pre-draft visit, Corum said on the Rich Eisen Show.

“I’m excited to go talk to Coach Harbaugh and the new staff that I don’t already know and see what it’s like out there,” Corum said.

After signing Gus Edwards, Los Angeles is still building their backfield and they see Corum, who is familiar with Jim Harbaugh, as a potential target.

Corum was productive for the Wolverines this past season, rushing for 1,245 yards and a program-record 27 touchdowns en route to the school’s national title. He finished his collegiate career with a whopping 58 rushing scores.

Corum isn’t the youngest player, set to be 24 this upcoming season, and he already has plenty of mileage used. But he has the patience, vision, and quickness to be an effective back in the NFL.

Corum projects as a mid-round selection.

2024 NFL Draft: Michigan RB Blake Corum scouting report

Michigan running back Blake Corum might sneak up on you as a prospect, and then take it to the house. That’s been his style all along.

We continue our 2024 NFL draft scouting reports with running backs, and we begin with Michigan’s Blake Corum, who gained 1,245 yards and scored 27 (!) rushing touchdowns on 258 carries for the National Champion Wolverines last season. Corum had 624 yards after contact, forced 30 missed tackles, and had 13 runs of 15 yards or more in the 2023 season.

Corum ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 scouting combine with a 1.58-second 10-yard split. Those aren’t outstanding numbers for a back of Corum’s size and projected NFL skill set, but when you watch the tape, he certainly doesn’t look that slow. Any team in need of a rotational back in a heavy gap-scheme offense would do well to pay attention to his potential… and that probably includes the Los Angeles Chargers, whose head coach Jim Harbaugh coached Corum pretty well at the collegiate level.

PLUSES

— As good a gap runner as you’ll find in this class; had 128 runs for 787 yards and 15 touchdowns out of gap schemes in 2023.

— Outstanding vision and acceleration to and through gaps, and he can make the most of a small opening.

— As a zone runner, his proclivity for low-to-the-ground runs and really quick cuts makes him a natural for getting on the track and defying defenders.

— Adept with swings, screens, and release routes; could become more of a factor at the NFL level.

MINUSES

— Blocking can be an adventure; he’s as prone to bounce off a defender as he is to square up.

— Fumblitis is something he’ll have to shore up.

— Unlikely to be a “franchise back” at 5′ 7¾” and 205 pounds. He’s a rotational star.

— Impressive power for his size, but negative runs happened in the NCAA, and they could happen more in the NFL.

Corum reminds me a lot of Isiah Pacheco, who has become a figure of some importance in the Chiefs’ offense. He’ll never have 250 carries in an NFL season, but his skill set may project to 250 touches in the right system.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Blake Corum, Michigan

Corum brings elite rushing skills and a winning attitude

The prized high-school recruit from Maryland opted to play for the Michigan Wolverines where he he headed up an elite rushing attack and made a name for himself as one of the best backs in the country.  He broke their all-time record for rushing touchdowns while playing under Jim Harbaugh who has also moved this year by heading up the Los Angeles Chargers.

After two seasons of part-time play, Corum became the Wolverine’s  starting running back with spectacular results. After piling up almost 1,500 rushing yards as a junior, he again shined during the their campaign to win the National Championship ending a tick below with 1,245 rushing yards but upped his scoring total to 28 touchdowns on the season. He ended his college career by rushing for 134 yards on 21 carries for two scores against Washington to become the 2024 College Football National Championship MVP.

Height: 5-8
Weight: 213 pounds
40 time: 4.53 seconds

Corum is only 5-8, but put on a show at the NFL Combine where he led all backs with 27 reps in the bench press, ran a solid 4.53 40-time, and added to his volume of highlight reels from the last two seasons.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-23)RB

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2020 Michigan 6 26 77 3.0 2 5 73 0
2021 Michigan 12 144 952 6.6 11 24 141 1
2022 Michigan 12 247 1463 5.9 18 11 80 1
2023 Michigan 15 258 1245 4.8 27 16 117 1
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

  • Superior vision combined with deadly jump cuts
  • Strong runner that runs through arm tackles
  • Tremendous burst  makes him capable of chunk plays
  • Elite decision-making skills for picking lanes and slipping through traffic
  • Gym rat with rare combination of strength and speed
  • High character guy with a winning attitude
  • Smart player who also won academic honors at Michigan
  • A backfield asset regardless of scheme

Cons

  • Smaller size at 5-8 brings durability concerns; already suffered a meniscus tear to end 2022.
  • Marginal use as a receiver in college
  • Questions regarding pass protection may limit third downs
  • Likely better fit in a committee and lacks the size for short yardage work.
  • Will turn 24 during the season

Fantasy outlook

Corum was a beast for the Wolverines and instrumental in their success the last two seasons including that National Championship Offensive MVP in January.  He doesn’t project as an every down back due to his size and potential injury concerns but he brings a skillset that will add to any offense. He’s more likely a Day 2 pick and may slide a little further if his previous knee issues and size cause concern.

The natural assumption is that he’d fit great with the Chargers who switch to HC Jim Harbaugh who already knows how to use him. Adding him as a complement to a back like Austin Ekeler should create a formidable 1-2 punch. He’s been speculated to end up with the Cardinals, Packers, Titans, or Bills. But he’d be a fit regardless of franchise because he brings a set of skills that would benefit any team, and that’s furthered by his intelligence and maturity. And falling out of the first round, if not the second, means any team could access him.

He brings a big name to the NFL after winning a National Championship and that could see him overvalued by some in the fantasy community. He should provide fantasy value as a rookie in a role that may expand during the season, but he’s unlikely to be asked to step in and take over a backfield. Corum has elite rushing skills but has to match them weekly against players that were college all-stars and remain healthy.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 65, Michigan RB Blake Corum

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Michigan running back Blake Corum.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers need to start thinking about the long-term outlook of their running back room. Aaron Jones is entering the final year of his contract and will turn 30 in December, while AJ Dillon is set to hit free agency.

A player they could target in the 2024 NFL Draft to pair with Jones and potentially be his long-term replacement is Blake Corum. The Michigan running back checks in at No. 65 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

The Gatorade Player of the Year in Maryland, Corum rushed for two touchdowns in six games during his first season at Ann Arbor. The following season, Corum rushed for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns. He added one receiving touchdown.

In 2022, Corum rushed for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns, with one receiving touchdown. This past season, Corum rushed for 1,254 yards and 27 touchdowns, with one receiving touchdown, as he helped the Wolverines bring home a National Championship.

“He’s just so good at all the little things that really matter,” Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports said. “Patience, vision, contact balance, instincts, intelligence, toughness. He excels between the tackles and in space because he knows what’s happening around him, and knows how to set himself up for success.”

Corum has fancy feet and can string moves together without gearing down. He has outstanding vision and is a patient runner who has an innate ability to sense lanes opening up. The Michigan running back makes sharp, decisive cuts and is explosive in short areas. Once he clears the hole he is able to hit a second gear to create chunk plays. In 2022, Corum had 22 runs of 15-plus yards. 

“He shows a great understanding of what’s happening in front of him, and his eyes are quick to find the right crease and explode through it,” Easterling said. “He’s great at setting up blocks and evading contact, and vision is a huge part of that.” 

Corum is a compact running back with good contact balance. He runs low and keeps his legs driving through contact. According to Pro Football Focus, Corum racked up 624 yards after contact this past season. He has a nose for the end zone and finished his career as Michigan’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (58). If he gets a carry inside the five-yard line he won’t be denied. 

“He’s got such a compact frame, and a low center of gravity,” Easterling said.”Combine that with the aforementioned contact balance, and you’ve got a recipe for a guy who can churn out the tough yards.”

Corum finished his career as a Wolverine with 56 receptions for 411 yards and three touchdowns. He’s not a running back that a team will line up in the slot and run an expansive route tree, however, he has reliable hands to be effective on swing passes and in the screen game. 

“He may not be a mismatch guy who can win with elite athleticism, but all the traits that make him a great runner also make him really effective with the ball in his hands when he gets in space as a receiver,” Easterling said. “He’s great in the screen game because again, he can rely on all those runner traits, and it makes him a great checkdown guy, too.”

Fit with the Packers

The Packers need to start thinking about life after Jones. Even if Jones winds up being a lifetime Packer, he’s entering the back-nine of his career and will turn 30 in December. 

Corum can create yards for himself with his contact balance and competitive toughness. He has outstanding vision, dynamic feet and runs with good tempo. While he didn’t have a ton of production in the passing game, the Michigan running back checks a lot of boxes. 

“He’s just too good at all the little things, and all the things that are most important when it comes to being an effective running back at the next level,” Easterling said. “He can stay on the field for all three downs, and he sets a physical tone for the ground game, which every team wants.”

A year removed from suffering a season-ending leg injury, Corum put together a monster 2023-2024 season to help the Wolverines win a National Championship. Corum is a compact running back who runs with energy and patience. Part of making life easier on Jordan Love is to have an effective rushing attack. Adding Corum would give Green Bay’s young offense another way to attack opposing teams.

PFF lays out ‘best-case scenario’ for Chargers in 2024 NFL draft

How can Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh hit a home run in their first draft together?

Pro Football Focus laid out the best-case scenario for the Chargers in the draft with the goal of finding players who fit Jim Harbaugh’s vision and selecting Georgia tight end Brock Bowers as their first pick. 

The Chargers need to play physical football in all three phases next season. The Bolts want to draft the most talented players, but there is another factor driving those decisions.

One characteristic that Harbaugh is infamous for is his ability to change a program’s culture, and it could be argued that this is also what Los Angeles needs most. 

PFF believes taking Bowers at No. 5 is worth it because Justin Herbert needs a talented tight end to throw to. Additionally, Harbaugh and Greg Roman have coached several elite tight ends throughout the years. 

They also believe that bringing in players Harbaugh is familiar with from coaching at Michigan, and the son of one of his former players when he was the coach of the 49ers, Frank Gore.

Along the way, Harbaugh could look to bring in Michigan graduates, such as running back Blake Corum, wide receiver Roman Wilson and interior defender Kris Jenkins, who all know his habits firsthand. Another name to watch could be Southern Mississippi’s Frank Gore Jr., whose father was coached by Harbaugh when they were both in San Francisco.

I believe that the best-case scenario for Los Angeles involves trading back a few spots to get more draft ammo in the first few rounds while still being able to draft a player like Bowers or a top tackle or cornerback.

10 running backs for the Ravens to watch at the 2024 NFL combine

We’re looking at ten running backs for the Baltimore Ravens to watch during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Running back depth is a massive priority for the Ravens, and that’ll be the position to watch on Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Eric DeCosta is looking to retool the roster following Baltimore’s heartbreaking AFC Championship loss to Kansas City.

Baltimore has three free-agent running backs, and Keaton Mitchell rehabbing a torn ACL.

With Day 3 of on-field workouts set to begin, we’re looking at ten running backs for the Ravens to watch.

10 running backs for the Eagles to watch at the 2024 NFL Combine

We’re looking at ten running backs for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Running back depth is a massive priority for the Eagles, and that’ll be the position to watch on Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Howie Roseman is looking to retool the roster following Philadelphia’s historic collapse, finishing the season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

Philadelphia has three free-agent running backs, and Kenneth Gainwell has done nothing to show that he can be an every-down, starting running back.

With Day 3 of on-field workouts set to begin, we’re looking at ten running backs for Philadelphia to watch.

Vikings 2024 NFL draft scouting report: Michigan RB Blake Corum

Michigan RB Blake Corum returned to the Wolverines with the goal being to win a National Championship. What does he look like as a prospect?

Welcome to SKOL Search!

This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.

The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at quarterback, running back, defensive line and edge rusher. We will also focus on wide receiver since it’s a loaded class and an increased chance to get a Stefon Diggs-type steal in the later rounds.

The Vikings are slated to have 9 picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.