Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum has been one of the most productive playmakers in college football over the last four seasons. How big is Corum, and how do his natural tools help him compete as a 2024 NFL Draft prospect at the RB position?
Michigan RB Blake Corum’s Height
Corum is one of the shorter players on the collegiate circuit. He’s listed at 5’8 “, 213 pounds, and he may measure closer to 5’7” when the NFL Combine comes around. Regardless, Corum is out here representing the short kings.
Corum was already highly regarded coming out of high school. He was a four-star recruit and a Top 250 national talent. He clocked a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash and committed to Michigan as part of the 2020 class. Corum saw action as a true freshman — but it wasn’t until 2021 that he’d truly break out.
When Corum hit the starting lineup, he hit the ground running and didn’t look back. In 2021, Corum amassed 144 carries for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 24 passes for 141 yards and an additional score. In 2022, he upped the ante, racking up 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns on 247 rushing attempts.
MORE: FREE Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Four weeks into 2023, Corum has only continued to produce at a hyper-efficient clip. He has 58 carries for 351 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging over six yards per attempt.
Corum’s Build Helps Him Withstand Contact as an NFL Draft Prospect
Lacking height can be a knock for prospects at some positions, but in contact situations, getting lower can help players. Football is a game of leverage, and Corum’s well-leveraged frame frequently allows him to work through contact.
It also helps that Corum is heavily built for his size, and his compact frame can absorb blows altogether. His natural running leverage allows him to maintain his balance through tackle attempts, a valuable trait in tandem with his athleticism and intangible qualities. The paragraph below, from Corum’s scouting report, does well to summarize his rushing value.
“As a pure runner, Corum’s profile is impressively well-rounded. He might not be quantifiably elite in any area, but he has excellent burst, speed, lateral agility, vision, and creative instincts when approaching and off-setting defenders. He’s also a hyper-dense, well-leveraged runner at 5’8″, 213 pounds who can bounce off of solo tackles and use his constant leg churn to maximize his finishing output.”