How Good of an NFL Draft Prospect is Blake Corum?

Michigan running back Blake Corum rushed for a 17-yard touchdown on the second snap of overtime to send the top-seeded Wolverines to its first CFP National Championship Game. It was Corum's 56th career touchdown, moving him into first place all-time in school history, breaking a tie with program legend Anthony Thomas. Corum undeniably helped improve his 2024 NFL Draft stock on Monday in the 27-20 victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

Corum now also owns the program record for the most points scored (150) throughout a single campaign. His impact on Michigan football has been immense.

Corum helped the Wolverines open their scoring with an eight-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter that tied the game at seven apiece. It was Corum's FBS-leading 25th touchdown of the season, and his first receiving touchdown. It's an area of Corum's game that requires improvement throughout the pre-draft process.

All in all, Corum rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown via 19 carries. Ground yards were difficult to come by against a hard-nosed Alabama defensive front that prioritized stopping Michigan’s run-first offense. Corum added 35 receiving yards and a touchdown on two receptions to his offensive totals.

Corum is an experienced and nuanced runner with pro-ready traits. A natural ball-carrier, his patience often forces defenders to commit before making quick decisions that help him take winning angles. He should manage to make an immediate contribution at the next level in a timeshare backfield.

At approximately 5-foot-8 and 210 pounds, Corum possesses a natural built-in leverage advantage when slicing through opposing defenses. His ability to consistently run low while bouncing and spinning off contact with physicality is a resume-defining trait. Corum doesn’t run with devastating tone-setting power, but his overall approach will immediately make him a handful to tackle at the next level.

There are areas of Corum’s skill set that require fine-tuning throughout the training process. Proving that he can consistently run routes out of the backfield while serving as a natural hands-catcher is a question teams want answered. Corum is more of a traditional throwback ball-carrier who recorded just 16 receptions this season. That's not exactly the direction NFL teams are going in when drafting running backs early. Versatility is often required.

Corum may lack the size and passing-down skills to be a dominant three-down back at the next level, but his advanced decision-making adds a desired sense of decisiveness to his rather clean scouting report. Corum's feet and eyes are always in sync. He has no issue processing information while waiting for gaps to become available. Bell cows are rare breeds nowadays. Corum possesses the traits necessary to help an NFL team fill out an effective backfield.

Corum is currently a mid-round prospect, but his pre-draft stock received a jolt in the arm following his two-touchdown performance against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Corum also has another opportunity to keep climbing draft boards in Michigan's upcoming National Championship showdown against Washington. Look for Corum to put forth another impressive showing as he suits up for the Wolverines one last time.