“Corum and Edwards: Best in class?”

Michigan Football is coming off of a 13-1 season in which they were granted a College Football Playoff berth. Although the Wolverines would go on to lose in the CFP Semi-finals, this team showed many flashes of being great, and players stepped up when injuries happened.

In week 12 against Illinois, star running back Blake Corum got injured. Michigan fans knew the Ohio State game was week 13, and that is. matchup that can make or break a season. Up until his injury, Corum had rushed 247 times for 1.463 yards so this team had to take into account all the talent they’d be missing. However, sophomore running back Donovan Edwards was ready for the challenge. Against Ohio State, Edwards ran for 216 yards on 22 carries and exploded for two touchdowns.

College football fans all over started to ask “Is this the best RB tandem in the nation?”

Blake Corum

Corum was a four-star recruit out of St. Francis Academy in Laurel, Maryland. He was named Gatorade Player of the Year in 2019. His frame and his ability to power through defensive lines was what got Harbaugh and Michigan drooling. His freshman season in 2020 was a learning year. In 2021, Corum started to show improvement by running for 952 yards on 144 carries. 2021 was the year he in fact shared the backfield with Hassan Haskins, and Michigan fans know how much of an impact he made. However, in 2022, Corum was no doubt the best back in the nation before his week 12 injury,. He ran 247 times for 1,463 yards and was voted a unanimous All-American.

Donovan Edwards

“The Don” was a five-star recruit out of West Bloomfield high School about an hour from Ann Arb0r in Michigan. It was a huge in-state grab from Michigan, but Edwards has been noted to say he was always a Wolverine. Coming into Michigan, Edwards knew he would be an integral part of this team, he just wasn’t sure when that time would be. That time came in 2022. Don got his opportunities throughout the season, but truly shined bright in “The Game” and the CFP berths in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In 2022, Edwards ran 140 times for 991 yards and seven touchdowns. 9 more yards would have given Michigan two 1,000 yard rushers and solidify Michigan’s RB tandem.

What to Expect in 2023

Much like any Michigan football fan, I expect 2023 to be a huge year for both Edwards and Corum. New Offensive Coordinator Sherrone Moore has experience in this offense, as he was the assistant OC in 2022. Corum will still be used as the every down back, but Edwards brings a whole other level to his game and this offense. He can catch passes out of the backfield and even in the slot if needed. Although both will be used differently, I expect both to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark, finally giving Michigan it’s first 1,000 yard rushing duo in history. Both backs will continue to contribute to winning football and crown Michigan big ten champs for the third season in a row.

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For more from the author Charles Bolone, follow him out on Twitter here: @cbolone

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