Tag: Blake Corum

5 Takeaways from Michigan’s 49-24 win against No. 21 Minnesota

In the return of Michigan football, the Wolverines dominated No. 21 Minnesota 49-24. Here are my five takeaways from the win for Michigan.

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Michigan football started the 2020 season with a bang as they dominated No. 21 Minnesota, in a 49-24 win. Head coach Jim Harbaugh got his second road win against a top 25 team, the first since he beat Michigan State in 2018. Michigan needed to make a statement in their Big Ten Week One game, and they certainly did.

The offense was explosive, but while they had 481 yards of offense, there were few explosive plays for the group. Running back Zach Charbonnet had a huge 70-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, but most of the plays by the Wolverines were good chunk plays, and with Minnesota missing their starting kicker and punter, they had short field position for a majority of the game.

The defense played lights out after a slow start, and they were able to shut down the high-powered offense that Minnesota had from last season. Minnesota’s star wide receiver, Rashod Bateman, was held in check with nine catches for 101 yards. While 101 yards is a lot to allow for a wide receiver, most of them were in just two plays. Keeping Bateman in check was a big objective, and the Wolverines did just that. Check out my five takeaways from the Wolverine’s huge win over the Golden Gophers.

1. The running game is as advertised

Michigan has a loaded running back room with every type of running back you can imagine. From a pass-catcher to a speed demon to a power back, Michigan has everything you need. We knew all four running backs would get involved, and all four each had a moment for themselves.

Freshman running back Blake Corum had five carries for 24 yards, along with two catches or 36 yards as he was the first person to catch the ball from Milton. The other speedy running back, returning Chris Evans, made his presence known as he had five carries for 19 yards and a touchdown, along with a catch for 10 yards.

Most of the ground game yardage came from the dynamic duo of last season in running backs, Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins. Charbonnet helped the Wolverines get back in the game after an early hiccup, running 70 yards for a touchdown. He would finish the game with four carries for 70 yards and one touchdown. Haskins had six carries for 82 yards and two touchdowns. The running game was advertised to have multiple weapons, and it was shown tonight.

2. The offensive line looks solid

With four starters leaving for the NFL, Michigan was left with just one returning starter on the offensive line. Right tackle Jalen Mayfield was expected to lead this inexperienced group when the game began, but luckily for him, some of his new buddies along the line have started in games before.

Right guard Andrew Stueber started three games at right tackle in 2018 before he tore his ACL and missed the 2019 season. Ryan Hayes started the first two games of the 2019 season at left tackle while Jon Runyan Jr. was injured. Those two players would start, Hayes at left tackle and Stueber at right guard.

The other two new starters never had starting experience before in left guard Chuck Filiaga and center Andrew Vastardis were the new faces on the line, and overall the unit played well. Milton was sacked on the first drive of the game but could stay upright for the rest of the game and had time to throw a majority of his passes. They also helped open up holes for the running game. Overall this group didn’t appear to have multiple starters; they exceeded the expectations, and if they can continue this stellar play, it can be the difference-maker for the offense to put up 40+ points a week.

3. Joe Milton wasn’t flashy but got the job done

Michigan starting quarterback Joe Milton had a lot of hype coming into the 2020 season. With the cannon of an arm he has and how much he was putting in work during the off-season, Milton was seemed to have a chance of a big game opening week. While it wasn’t a monster game for Milton with few deep passes, he did a good job in his first start.

Milton finished the game going 15/22 for 225 yards and a touchdown, along with eight carries for 52 yards and a touchdown. His accuracy didn’t seem to be much of an issue as he overthrew two passes. The rest were just dropped balls or close catches. Milton used his legs more than was expected, and it helped confuse the Minnesota defense.

Every week you shouldn’t expect Milton to be throwing for over 300 or 400 yards along with three or more touchdowns. Milton doesn’t need to blow up the opposing defenses; he needs to make some plays and move the ball down the field as the running game seems to be how the Wolverines will score most of the points this year.

4. The defense could have gotten better

Last year was the worst year for the defense for the Wolverines under defensive coordinator Don Brown. Before 2019, Michigan repeatedly had a top-five defense. In 2019, they finished 10th. 10th was the worst they’ve had, and that’s still pretty good.

Michigan looked like they could be a top-five defense once again with the performance they had against Minnesota tonight. The Wolverines were able to get five sacks, force a fumble, and an interception. Minnesota was held to 326 yards of offense, and multiple times Michigan was bending but didn’t break.

The defense had multiple players step up and make plays for them tonight. Viper Michael Barrett played fantastically with seven total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Defensive end Kwity Paye finished with four total tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. Defensive tackle Carlo Kemp made some big plays and finished with four total tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack.

5. The delima at kicker needs to be handled fast

Something that wasn’t discussed much before the season began was the kicker battle between Jake Moody and Quinn Nordin. Both kickers were in a rotation last season before Nordin seemed to have taken over at the position to close out the season. Harbaugh never named either one the starter, so we weren’t sure who would start this season until the first field goal attempt would happen.

Moody was the first kicker on the field, and while he was 7/7 on extra-point attempts when it came to kicking field goals, he struggled heavily. His first attempt was 38 yards out, and it was not close as it was wide right. His next kick was further away at 48 yards, and while this one was more accurate, it still was off to the left. The final kick was 33 yards out, and while it was a bad snap, Moody still couldn’t make it. Every point matters in these games, and missing those aren’t what you want to see from your starting kicker in the first game.

Nordin never saw the field, and maybe he should be given a chance to kick field goals next week. Missing one kick doesn’t mean you should lose the starting job, but missing three in the first week, against a top 25 opponent on the road, should make it a question if you are the right guy. Whoever Michigan has out there next week needs to be the starting kicker for the rest of the season, as a rotation doesn’t cut it, and pulling a kicker every other week doesn’t help their confidence. Let the battle this week be for the rest of the season, without making it a week-by-week case.

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3 keys to a Michigan win at Minnesota

The Wolverines are set to open the season in Minneapolis on Saturday. This is how they can return to Ann Arbor 1-0.

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Michigan football is now just days away from kicking off the new season.

Some thought this day may not happen due to the pandemic the world is facing, but the Wolverines kick off on Saturday after a long wait. As we all know, Michigan will be getting a tough test to start the year as it goes to Minnesota to face the Golden Gophers.

Not only is Minnesota a tough foe to get the opening week, but the game will be played on primetime national TV and the whole of the United States will be watching Jim Harbaugh lead his troops out onto the field. Some will be wondering if Harbaugh can defeat a ranked team on the road during a night game, given the narrative there. The Wolverines will try to show the world that they can.

Here are three keys to get it done.

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1. Slow down Tanner Morgan

Tanner Morgan blew up the college scene last year in his first full season as a starter.

Morgan threw for 3,253 yards (which was 24th overall in the nation) along with 30 TD and only 7 INT. He also had the No. 4 overall passer rating last year with a 178.7 (behind only Burrow, Hurts, and Fields). Morgan was, and still is, the focal point of this team.

However, the Gophers are down a couple big members of their offense from last year. They lost starting running back Rodney Smith, and starting WR Tyler Johnson to the NFL draft. It also looked as if WR Rashod Bateman wouldn’t be on the team as well due to an opt out, but once the Big Ten decided to have the season after all, Bateman also decided that he would opt back in to play. It’s huge news for Minnesota, as he put up big numbers last year: 60 receptions for 1,219 yards and 11 TD.

Statistically, Morgan is one of the better passers in the Big Ten, and he will be up against an inexperienced secondary at Michigan. After an opt out from once starting CB Ambry Thomas, Michigan has no starting experience at corner outside of Vincent Gray. Michigan has plenty of bodies to throw in there though: Sammy Faustin, DJ Turner, Jalen Perry, Gemon Green, and Andre Seldon. As of now, there hasn’t been a confirmed starter next to Gray, so we will have to wait to see who Michigan throws in there. Assuming Michigan double teams Bateman most of the game with Gray and Daxton Hill/Brad Hawkins, the other starting back will be left in man coverage. That will be a very intriguing matchup to see.

How do you really slow down Tanner Morgan? Michigan’s front four.

Defensive ends Kwity Paye, and Aidan Hutchinson both decided to come back for this abbreviated season to help the Wolverines. ‘Salt and pepper’ are going to need big games if Michigan is to win as the line will need to create some havoc and make Morgan feel the pressure.

If Michigan’s front four can get to Morgan a couple times early in the game, it will bode well for the Wolverines the rest of the matchup.

2. Get the run game going early

When a team is breaking in a new starting quarterback, you want to make his life as easy as possible. One of the best ways to do that, establish the run early.

Michigan returns its top two backs from last season in Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins, but also returns Chris Evans after he missed all of last season. Christian Turner and speedy true freshman Blake Corum could also see some carries.

Minnesota was a stout rushing defense last year only allowing 127 rushing yards-per-game. The Wolverines will be breaking in four new full-time starters to go along with tackle Jalen Mayfield. Ryan Hayes and Andrew Stueber do have playing experience, so that is going to be helpful in a big game atmosphere. Since there weren’t any non-conference games this year, the O-line will need to jell together fast.

Michigan averaged 150 yards on the ground last year as a team. It will need to gain every bit of that on the ground for Michigan to win. If it can get the run game going early with Charbonnet and Haskins (while sprinkling in some Evans and Corum) then that will help Milton out tremendously, and keep the defense honest all game long.

3. Keep Milton calm and watch speed and space work

Let’s welcome in Joe Milton, the presumed starter, who has attempted 11 career passes. Most of which have been in the fourth quarter of garbage time football.

He won’t get an easy test his first game as a starter. The Golden Gophers were the 12th-ranked passing defense last season, giving up only 185 yards through the air, on average, as a team. Granted, Minnesota lost two big secondary pieces from last years team in Antoine Winfield Jr, and Chris Williamson, both of whom got drafted. But, it should still be a solid unit as a whole.

Michigan also lost arguably three out of its four best WRs — all for different reasons.

Donovan Peoples-Jones declared for the draft early, Tarik Black transferred to Texas, and Nico Collins decided to opt out to prepare for the upcoming draft.

Luckily, the cupboard isn’t bare at Michigan.

Star wideout Ronnie Bell returns along with Giles Jackson, Mike Sainristil, and Cornelius Johnson. Freshmen Roman Wilson and A.J. Henning both should play a role in the passing game this year (maybe this game) as well.

Milton will have plenty of weapons at his disposal this Saturday night, most of which are the fast type, which is where the speed-in-space mantra comes into play. Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis likes to get his weapons the ball away from defenders and allow their speed to take over. As long as Milton can stay poised throughout the game and get the ball to his playmakers, Michigan should be in a good spot when its all said and done.

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Who will be returning kicks and punts for Michigan football in 2020?

Special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh gave a lengthy update on the major players on both units in the middle of fall camp.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — With the new season just weeks away for Michigan football, one of the big questions is: who will be returning kicks and punts for the Wolverines?

Being a starter the year before doesn’t guarantee they’ll be back in that role again, especially as the younger returners get more acclimated to their roles on offense or defense. Sometimes, there’s changes due to that, or last year, there was the case of Ambry Thomas, the kick returner from 2018. Thomas was solid in that role, but due to his bout with colitis in the offseason, Giles Jackson took up the mantle. He performed admirably, with 24 returns for 622 yards and one taken to the house in a 97-yard return to open the game against Maryland.

As far as kick return is concerned, Jackson has the inside track to be the guy, but like in any other year, he won’t be the sole man back deep. That’s where some new blood may come in, according to special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh.

“Kickoff return: obviously Giles is tremendous,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve really put an emphasis this offseason, not only having Giles improve and getting better, but being able to have a great backup for him and a good dynamic guy back there with him. Mike Barrett did a good job for us last year as the off-returner, but we want to be a little deeper overall if Giles, in a situation, isn’t gonna be back there, then who’s gonna replace him? Love that situation.”

Punt return is a different situation. Donovan Peoples-Jones has handled those duties since 2017, but as he’s now with the Cleveland Browns, Michigan is looking for a new man back deep.

That’s where some really interesting names come in. Ronnie Bell got a few opportunities a year ago, but there’s two freshmen who are making a push, Harbaugh notes, including one cornerback that Don Brown recently said runs a 4.38 40.

“It’s really the same guys in terms of punt return,” Harbaugh said. “It’s still a good competition. Ronnie (Bell) probably is the guy right now. He’s got a lot of reps and everything. Giles has been working at that. Blake Corum is a natural punt catcher. Eamonn Dennis for us is a guy who’s dangerous with the ball in his hands. We like what he does. Mike Sainristil has a good amount of reps stacked from last year.

“It’s a good, deep group. We feel like we could be a very good return team. Just excited to find out who those guys are gonna be with more live punts and getting those guys tracking the ball – especially on some windy days like we’re gonna see this fall. That last part and gauging that consistency will determine who ends up being the guy.”

We’ll know more about who will be back deep on both kicks and punts for Michigan football come Oct. 24, when the Wolverines head to Minneapolis for the season opener at Minnesota.

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How the return of Chris Evans impacts Michigan’s running game in 2020

Michigan football gets senior running back Chris Evans back for the 2020 season. How will his return help the Wolverines offense blow up?

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Last season was supposed to be a big year for Michigan running back Chris Evans. With former starting running back Karan Higdon graduating, Evans was poised to be the starter after years of being a backup or getting the start but not having as many carries as the backups. Sadly, Evans had some academic issues and was forced to miss last season, leaving him on the sidelines.

With him sitting out, freshman Zach Charbonnet had to step up, despite missing spring practices with knee surgery. He wasn’t alone as Hassan Haskins was converting from linebacker over to running back. With the lack of experience in the room, Tru Wilson was named the starting running back in July, but that wouldn’t stick to the wall as Charbonnet would start in the season opener against Middle Tennessee State.

Despite the lack of experience in the running back room last year, Michigan had some great success running the ball with their young players.

Charbonnet finished with 726 yards and 11 touchdowns, along with eight catches for 30 yards. Haskins had 622 yards and four touchdowns, along with six catches for 40 yards. Wilson had 221 yards and a touchdown with two catches for 14 yards. A player who was projected to have a big 2019, Christian Turner, only had 171 yards and a touchdown with four catches for 13 yards.

That running back room will look a bit different this year as Wilson transferred to Northern Colorado, and Turner opted out due to COVID-19. With those two departures, in walks two additions who could make this group even more explosive.

Freshman Blake Corum, who could see some serious playing time after getting 1,266 yards for 19 touchdowns and eight catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns during his senior year in high school.

Then the big return of Evans, who brings a different dynamic to the running back room. Charbonnet and Haskins are both fast running backs, but they aren’t your Chris Johnson type of fast running backs either. They both also had under 10 catches last season, as they weren’t used as receivers.

This isn’t to say that Evans is about to run a 4.24 40-yard dash, but Evans certainly has a different type of speed compared to Charbonnet and Haskins. Corum is a fast player as well, but once again he doesn’t have the receiving experience Evans has.

Evans was looked at as a wide receiver to some scouts back in high school, but at Michigan, he has been a running back that not only can outrun a lot of players, but he can make you miss with his quick feet as he jukes and spins around defenders. Oh and he can catch the ball in the backfield too.

In his career, Evans has run for 1,722 yards for 14 touchdowns and has 40 catches for 392 yards and two touchdowns. What can his role be like in the running back room that has two strong and young running backs and an incoming freshman that is also going to fight for playing time as the speedster? Ask offensive coordinator Josh Gattis.

“We did a lot of things that were similar last year with Giles Jackson, all the different alignments that he aligned on the field,” said Gattis. “You got a guy now in Chris Evans who has the ability to take those as actual hand-offs and not just be in the backfield catching routes coming out of the backfield. You’ve got a guy that can do both and that’s exciting.”

Mind you, Jackson is a wide receiver, not a running back. Last season, Jackson had more touches on the ground than through the air, carrying the ball 10 times for 69 yards and a touchdown, and nine catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. Jackson was used on jet sweeps and the like to get around the defense with his quick feet and acceleration.

Evans brings that to the offense and his speed is built for this offense that Gattis likes to run. Not only does he bring the speed on the ground, but he brings it in the receiving game, something the running backs last year had issues with. Michigan needs to have a running back that can go out and catch a ball if needed. Not that Charbonnet and Haskins couldn’t or didn’t but Evans is better than them when it comes to running routes and doing more than just pounding the rock.

What makes him a fun player in the backfield is you never know what he’s going to do. He can get the handoff and turn on the jets to get a big gain, he can catch a pass and make some people miss with his shiftiness, and he can even block to help give the quarterback time to throw.

Evans is an all-around running back, something this offense could really use. Having strong and quick running backs is great and all, but having some versatility in the backfield is what makes your offense more dangerous. This offense is built on speed in space, and adding another type of weapon that can do just that is what can help make this running back core even stronger after an impressive showing in 2019.

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Why Jay Harbaugh is confident Blake Corum will see early playing time

Why the first-year player should be primed to see the field early and often, despite the lack of spring practice and a loaded depth chart.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — If you’re a true freshman entering a running backs room with four potential starters at the position, you’re almost assured a redshirt, right?

For Michigan early-enrollee and true freshman Blake Corum, don’t count on that being the case.

Despite not having played a down of football and behind several players who have various levels of high-end experience, the first-year tailback is certainly going to be in the mix come September — even while having missed all of spring practice, as it was canceled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

A former four-star from powerhouse program Baltimore (MD) St. Frances Academy, Corum was noted to be ‘as fast as advertised’ two weeks ago by his offensive coordinator in Josh Gattis. All he’s done since arriving in December is draw rave reviews from the coaching staff, and he continued to do so with his position coach, Jay Harbaugh, praising his work ethic as a reason why he could see the field early and often.

“The guy who hasn’t played in Blake Corum, the good thing about him is he was an early-enrollee, so he did practice with us,” Harbaugh said. “So he has done a little bit of it at least. And even though he missed spring, he’s a guy who will walk through things on his own and he played against great competition in high school. I would expect him to translate and transition well in terms of the speed of the game and everything.”

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The challenge is that Michigan had two starters at the position a year ago in Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins — both of whom proved their potential as they got to be more dynamic as the season progressed. Chris Evans also returns, after having spent three years on the team as the veritable second-string guy, just waiting in the wings. Christian Turner has been oft-injured, but now that he’s healthy, the staff is eager to see what he can do.

Still, Corum is showcasing his level of seriousness, contending both on and off the field, bringing a strong curiosity and enthusiasm to the position. Traits which serve him well, according to Harbaugh.

“Blake is awesome,” Harbaugh said. “The main thing about him is he just goes all out in everything that he does. If there’s one thing that’s generally true in life as well as our football program is that the guys that just go all in, they don’t dip their toe in, they don’t think about, ‘Hey, did I do this or not?’ – he just goes hard with everything that he’s presented with. I think he got a 4.0 or close to it in his first semester. He’s on time for everything virtually. He turns everything in, he takes notes, he asks questions. He’s just a junkie for football, but also for everything. He’s very binary. He’s all in or he’s not into it.”

Still, not having an opportunity to hit the practice field — save for three practices in December — should be a setback, right?

Not always. It wasn’t for Charbonnet or Haskins, who missed all of spring last year due to injuries. Like those two aforementioned, despite it being his first semester and the calamity of the pandemic setting in, Corum has been locked in, which Harbaugh says is serving him well with the season fast approaching.

“I think that will serve him really good in terms of getting through this without being a setback for him,” Harbaugh said. “Like what I mentioned for a lot of the other guys, too, is we just have a lot of guys like that. You could put them a thousand miles away and give them a laptop and a field and a pair of cleats – they’re gonna find a way to make the best of it. Our team doesn’t make excuses and I think that when it’s all said and done, we’re gonna be really glad with the type of team we’ve assembled and recruited because they’ve handled it so, so well and Blake’s just another example of that.”

Corum will still have his work cut out for him, given the depth chart. But one thing you can count on: if he continues to do what he’s done thus far, should things remain on course, you can expect to see him toting the football in live games starting in September.

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In new year, Michigan loaded with options in return game

Special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh gave a long list of contenders for both positions, while noting one particular thing won’t change.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — There are two positions that seem to constantly be in flux in Ann Arbor, and that’s at both kick and punt return.

Some years, you have obvious choices — like Jabrill Peppers, who handled the bulk of both in 2015-16 — but in others, one player may get the call one year but not the next.

Such was the case last year, with 2018 starting kick returner Ambry Thomas out for much of the offseason with a bout of colitis. Though he got the start right out of the gates at cornerback, given that he didn’t practice much and that it was an uphill battle just to get him on the field, he ceded his role to true freshman Giles Jackson.

The starting punt returner the past three years was Donovan Peoples-Jones, but he departed with a year of eligibility remaining on the table, getting drafted in the sixth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.

While he’s been one of two coaches working on special teams since 2016, Jay Harbaugh is now the bona fide special teams coordinator with Chris Partridge’s departure on Jan. 2 to Ole Miss. When he looks at the kick return situation, he doesn’t feel the need for change personnel-wise, considering what Jackson brought to the table last year. But, he certainly won’t be the only one back deep, Harbaugh explains, noting the need to have other capable returners to help Jackson’s job become easier, while giving different looks to the opposing team’s kickoff unit.

“It’s a really strong group,” Harbaugh said. “I would say overall, it might be the best that we’ve had just in terms of depth in terms of guys we feel like, ‘Hey, this guy could be an option.’ In the past, we kind of had older guys where we took it off their plate or guys were really young and inexperienced. So we have a nice balance now.

“For kickoff returns, we love Giles back there. I think everybody does. Crazy fast, super talented. And he even left some yards out there last year that I think this year he’s gonna be able to take advantage of. Just be able to continue to improve the way that he understands our system, seeing the blocking scheme develop. So expecting a huge year from him.

“And he’s got a great group of guys that are gonna be able to compete with him, make him better and be back there with him. Those guys are Ronnie Bell – he’s done it before – Mike Sainristil, Blake Corum, Andre Seldon, Mike Barrett’s been back there and does a great job as an off-returner, does a tremendous job blocking. So it’s a really deep group. Daxton Hill has been back there, Chris Evans.

“So we feel great about the quality of guys back there, which is really necessary, because as soon as a returner becomes a really big play threat, that’s when you see, all of a sudden, that guy doesn’t get the ball so much anymore, so it’s important to have somebody else back there that’s a legit big play threat.”

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As noted, with Peoples-Jones’ departure, Michigan will be looking for a fresh face to take over punt return duties.

Harbaugh sees pretty much all of the same faces on kick return having a shot to also return punts, with the caveat that there are two incoming freshmen who certainly could make the battle more interesting when they arrive in Ann Arbor.

“In the punt return scheme, obviously not having Donovan will be a new thing for us, and luckily we were able to get some live reps with Ronnie in the past,” Harbaugh said. “Mike Sainristil in the past. That’s something Giles can do, too, which is exciting. Mike Barrett catches the ball extremely well. Blake Corum is punt returner. I don’t know if I mentioned Seldon. And that’s not even excluding the Roman Wilsons and the A.J. Hennings of the world that are still kinda, we’re not sure yet. But those guys are electric. I’m confident they’ll at least be able to compete and push those guys. And if they’re able to get to the point where they can catch it with confidence at some point in the year, those guys can be legit dudes as well.”

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Josh Gattis raves about true freshman: He’s ‘as fast as advertised!’

What the Wolverines OC sees out of the first-year player and how he might fit into the mix of a loaded room of tailbacks.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Wolverines had but two offensive early-enrollees this year, with one being offensive lineman Zak Zinter. True freshmen on the OL are unlikely to play right away if a roster is managed well, but the skill positions are a different story entirely.

Enter Blake Corum, the former four-star running back from Baltimore (MD) St. Frances Academy.

Though Corum didn’t get the opportunity to showcase his abilities in spring ball, he did get to go through the entirety of winter conditioning, all while acclimating to the team, learning the playbook and what’s to be expected in college football. There’s no doubt that he’ll not only have an opportunity to play early, in just his first year on campus, but if Michigan can find a way to get him on the field, it will do so as often as possible.

And to hear his offensive coordinator in Josh Gattis speak about him, it seems to be more of a when rather than an if Corum gets significant playing time.

“Blake Corum is as fast as advertised!” Gattis said. “We timed him in the spring when we did our spring testing. Blake ran in the high 4.4 range. Just an exciting kid, just tough, physical kid. I’ve known Blake since his ninth grade year in high school. Just excited about that kid and his maturity. Leadership he already brings. He brings a toughness mentality. He’s got a great skill set. He’s a physical runner. People look at him as an undersized guy because of his height, but the heart, the strength and the speed that he brings packs a punch. So we’re really excited about him from that standpoint.”

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However, for the first time in awhile, Corum enters a running backs room that is not a position of need.

While there have been some stellar backs as of late — Karan Higdon eclipsed 1,000 yards his senior year after coming just six yards short in 2017 — and Chris Evans constantly challenged for significant minutes throughout his career, with Evans’ return as well as Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins entering their second-year at the position — and that’s not even mentioning heralded Georgia tailback Christian Turner, who has been injury-plagued in his career — getting all of the above their opportunity to make something happen with the football won’t be easy. And that’s without even mentioning Corum’s entrance into the fray.

Gattis has some ideas of how to work Corum and the other guys in, but it’ll be a precarious situation, regardless.

“I think Blake brings that same skill set (as Chris Evans),” Gattis said. “I’ve been adding those guys to the mix of what we already have. I just think that when you look at the depth right there at the running back position, obviously, we’ve got some good choices.

“It’s always tough to balance all the playing time and all the touches. There’s a level of having depth that you love and there’s a level of having depth that creates problems. And the problem there is the balance of trying how to fit all the different pieces together. But it’s gonna be our job and it’s gonna be a challenge to make all the pieces work together. Obviously, other ways we can complement that with some two-back stuff, when it’s split backs, and try to use your personnel as much as you can. Everything comes with a cost and reward. Personnels – which one you want to play in, who you want to pull off the field, who you want to put on the field.”

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For now, Corum has to do what he can in his home classroom compared to inside Schembechler Hall and in the Al Glick Fieldhouse. He’ll be waiting his turn in one way or another, but once it comes, he certainly has the chance to make the most of it.

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How Michigan’s early-enrollees have fared during changes due to coronavirus

How the Wolverines offensive coordinator sees Michigan’s offensive early-enrollees getting along despite the drastic changes due to COVID-19

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Something of a casualty this offseason has been those who have enrolled early.

With the novel coronavirus changing the way the world operates, the expectation was that those who had come to Ann Arbor early would have a jump on the process, getting all 15 spring practices as well as participating in the annual spring game.

However, now those players are just like anyone else, holed up due to the current ‘stay at home’ efforts. That, though, doesn’t mean there haven’t been benefits afforded to those who did arrive at Michigan a good 6-7 months early.

Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis appeared this weekend on the In the Trenches podcast with Jon Jansen, and explained what those who did forgo their final semester of high school to come to Ann Arbor have experienced, and why they still are somewhat ahead of the curve when it comes to the football program — as compared to those who won’t arrive until presumably June or July.

“I think the benefit for the early-enrollee guys is they were able to get with Coach Herbert and really get the culture and the way we do things down,” Gattis said. “They got a number of good morning workouts in before they were – obviously before we were (set) to start spring ball. They really understood, okay, how do we really want to do things. How do the upperclassmen do it? And I’ll tell you what: that’s a really impressive group of young guys. How well they work, how well they pay attention. How well they pay attention to the details. There’s some impressive guys in that group. That was the biggest thing offensively for us.”

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On offense, there’s but two players who came early — offensive tackle Zak Zinter and running back Blake Corum.

Both got a little time in already, with three practices as the team readied itself to play Alabama in the VRBO Citrus Bowl. However, particularly with Corum, there were strong anticipations about getting him ready to play in year one, despite an already loaded running backs room.

Still, Zach Charbonnet, who ended up starting in his first year last fall, was somewhat similarly in the same boat, as he recovered from an injury that prohibited him from taking part in spring practices. Thus, Corum could still find himself ready to go.

Part of why is the leadership that other former early-enrollees have exhibited. They’ve helped those along the way to help make sure they’re fully acclimated, despite the curveball that the pandemic has thrown the country as well as the football program.

That said, Gattis feels that with the different pace of things at the moment, it’s also allowed the two first-year players to understand the concepts of the college game a little bit better than had they gone though the alternative ‘normal.’

“We only had two early-enrollees,” Gattis said. “We had Zak and we had Blake. Both of those guys have done a really good job of keeping up to task. Our veteran players have also done a really good job of bringing those guys along. We make sure we check in on those guys. I think it helps with a number of mid-years we had last year. A guy like Cade (McNamara) has been really good with taking those mid-year guys in. Ben Mason has done a really good job of taking those mid-year guys in. We’ve had some guys that have been assigned to bring those guys along, making sure we’re able to get those guys adjusted. I think from the strength and the workout standpoint, they’ve done a really good job. But this was their first install. Now they’re going through their first football install truly with it being remote. So we just gotta make sure – I think the way we’re going about it in going about it a little bit slower with one a week has really helped those guys really understand.”

To some degree, the players have been quite innovative with keeping in check with their new workout regimens during what should have been spring ball.

For instance, Corum posted a video of one of his workouts, and it certainly highlights what kind of shape he’s in.

As of right now, the Big Ten extended all organized team activities to be on continued hiatus until June 1.

Jay Harbaugh breaks down Michigan’s RB room at great length

A thorough breakdown of what each of the Wolverines RB are best at, where they are in their development and how they’ll be utilized in 2020.

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Michigan has something of an embarrassment of riches in its running backs room.

While there isn’t one breakout player as of current, a feature back, the Wolverines enter 2020 with four-to-five guys who can be difference-makers any give Saturday.

In 2019, we saw significant production from both Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet, as they combined for 1,348 yards on the ground and 15 rushing touchdowns to go along with 14 receptions for 70 yards through the air. But back in the mix is Chris Evans, a redshirt senior who missed last season with suspension. In his three years of play, Evans has 304 carries for 1,722 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns as well as 40 receptions for 392 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

That’s not even mentioning third-year tailback Christian Turner, who was sidelined with injury throughout much of his time in Ann Arbor, and early-enrollee Blake Corum, the four-star from Baltimore who has the potential to be a star-player in his own right.

Managing a loaded room

Speaking with Jon Jansen on his weekly In the Trenches podcast, Michigan running backs coach Jay Harbaugh is excited about having such a loaded room, with so many potential contributors.

He shares how the competition will play a big role and how it should enhance the position come fall.

“The big thing right now – not that it’s super different from last year or the year before – but tremendous competition,” Harbaugh said. “You have guys now that are coming back that have played. Three guys that have really played substantial snaps and a really talented incoming freshman. So you have a group that’s highly capable. There’s gonna be great competition.

“And it’s exciting as a coach, because they all love to get after it. They love football, they love the team, they play a selfish position unselfishly. They help each other out. They really bring out the best in each other and we put together a good spring with that kind of mindset and same through summer and fall camp, I think the result will be really special.”

One of the big things about having five running backs each with a unique skillset is the possibility of getting multiple on the field at the same time.

Since he arrived last January, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis spoke at length about putting the defense in conflict. With five players with myriad abilities, it’s possible that we see multiple backs on the field at the same time in 2020, Harbaugh says.

“Yeah, that’s something we did a little bit, and Coach Gattis’ background, he’s been around some of that and done some of that,” Harbaugh said. “So we would love to do it. To do that, you have to have the guys, like you’re saying, that create that type of confusion, they create that conflict. I think that we do. So it would be good to get involved with that in spring. Selfishly, as the running back coach, you love having your guys out there. I’m sure, if you could play with seven linemen, you would love to do that! I think it’s something if it helps us win, if Coach Gattis sees it as a way for us to score points, then we’ll be ready for it.”

From there, Harbaugh spoke at length about each different tailback, what they bring to the table, where they’re at in their development, and how they all fit into the grand scheme of the offense.

Starting with returning senior Chris Evans.

Read about Evans’ return on the next page.

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What impresses Chris Evans about Michigan’s younger running backs

What impresses the returning senior about the (new to him) tailbacks in the RB room.

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BRIGHTON, Mich. — What was once seen as a perceived weakness very well should be a team strength for Michigan in 2020.

Though the Wolverines lose Tru Wilson to transfer, the running backs room returns most everyone, particularly co-starters from a year ago in Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins,

And they get another productive piece back, with Chris Evans’ reinstatement.

Evans returns a senior, with three years playing experience, and speaking with WolverinesWire on Saturday, he thinks the sky’s the limit for this emerging group.

“Real good,” Evans said. “We’re gonna push each other every day. Nobody’s gonna try to be the tough guy. We’re all gonna keep everything in the room. That’s how we’re gonna do it.”

He already has an inkling of what Haskins can do, having spent a year with him — though the third-year back spent much of his first year with the linebackers.

But Evans got to watch his team from afar while he was serving his one-year suspension, getting to see now-second-year tailback Zach Charbonnet ball out in his first season of college football.

Given his experience, what are Evans’ impressions of Charbonnet? Obviously, all great things.

“He’s a really good player,” Evans said. “Good pass protector, especially at a young age. Being able to see it – I really couldn’t see everything. At a young age, he’s very mature and carries himself well. I’m excited to be a part of it.”

In December, as Michigan prepared to take on Alabama in the VRBO Citrus Bowl, a loophole allowed Evans to participate in three practices, though he had not rejoined the team in official capacity just yet. But he wasn’t alone in that.

Big things are expected of recently signed four-star RB Blake Corum, who showed out in his senior year at Baltimore (MD) St. Frances Academy. Corum also partook in those three practices, and Evans likes what he’s seen from the guy who should still be in high school.

As a matter of fact, he sees a lot of the 2016 version of himself in Corum.

“(He’s) good – he got a mature mind in his head,” Evans said. “He’s all about work, just grind, grind, grind. As an older guy, you got no choice but to match him. It’s good to have a younger guy, because that’s how I was when I came in. Trying to push against the older guys, push against the older guys. I’m just gonna match his intensity.”