8/19/22 Availability
Q:
Blake, you put on 10, 11 pounds this offseason, what led to the idea of kind of bulking up and how do you feel having that extra weight?
Corum:
It really wasn’t idea, it was really just putting in work and honestly eating right, hydrating better. That’s what it led to, I really wasn’t trying to, it kind of just happened, you know, so I feel good 212, I feel good around that weight.
Q:
Does it change your game at all?
Corum:
No, if anything I feel faster. You know, not it doesn’t change my game at all. You know, maybe bring a little more power, a little more weight with it. But uh, nothing really.
Q:
With Hassan gone how has it changed the dynamic in the running back room?
Corum:
Having Hassan here was great but you know, now it’s time for other guys to step up. You know, I’m saying we still have a stacked RB room, myself, Donovan Edwards, Tavierre Dunlap, CJ Stokes, who is a freshman that just came in, he’s balling really big right now.
We have a packed RB room with guys that can get the job. So nothing changes really, you know, we obviously will miss Hassan. But we’re ready to go.
Q:
Do you find yourself assuming anything that Hassam did whether it be on the field or off the field? Picking up where he left off?
Corum:
Not really, you know, I’m saying I feel like the game has to go on. Like I said, obviously, we’re gonna miss Hassan, who was a big part of our offense. But we’re gonna pick up right where we left off, you know, Donovan is going to come in, he’s gonna get more reps, now. Tavierre is ready, CJ is ready, like I said, so we’re picking up right where we left off, we still have, you know, in my opinion, the best o-line in the country…We’re picking up right where we left off.
Q:
Blake, when you think about your skill set and Donovan’s skill set, what do you think would be like a nice complement for the number three running back? What should that person try and bring to even balance it out or make the room even better?
Corum:
Just be him. You know, I feel like we all have one of a kind when it comes to our skills. We also like, Donovan and myself, I feel like last year we would say thunder and lightning…it’s lightning and lightning, now so that’s what I feel like. And then Tavierre you know, he brings a little bit of thunder, but Tavierre isn’t slow…and CJ is fast, too…So, a whole of bunch of lightning.
Q:
Blake, how much time have you spent watching your film from last year? What’s your biggest takeaways from from your game?
Corum:
I watched my film quite a bit and I also like watching other running backs, other defenses, you know, always just trying to educate myself on different defensive schemes, and things that I could see during the season. What I pick up from what I did last year, and what I can help myself on, is obviously just reading blitzes better, you know, I can always be better by studying defenses. They could bring this blitz, they could bring that blitz.
So really just, my IQ for the game…that’s what I strive to do is just have a better IQ for the game each day, each week. And so that’s really what I’ve been working on is really just studying defensive schemes and just so like, when I’m out there, I can just ball. I know what they’re brining, know where the ball might hit before the play and things like that. So really, just my IQ for the game.
Q:
Who do you watch when you’re watching other players? Do you have certain ones?
Corum:
It depends what I what I’m trying to look for. If I’m trying to look for like, you know, scat backs, backs that have nice cuts and things like that, you know, I watch Barry Sanders. You know, I feel like he’s the greatest.
If I’m trying to watch a power back, one who does good at picking up blocks but runs hard as well. One of my favorites is Marshawn Lynch, you know, so it just depends. I watch Coach Hart a little bit, those are the guys I watch.
Q:
When it comes to like, regional and national attention, you’re often mentioned but generally kind of as a secondary guy…do you ever pay attention to that? Do you have any any goals for this year that you hope to accomplish?
Corum:
I don’t really care about those things because it’s all preseason. I don’t think that’s gonna matter is who wins it after the season, right?
I’m really focused on beating Michigan State, beating Ohio State again, and going on to win the Big 10 Championship and going all the way this year.
We always say the Team, the Team, the Team and that’s what I’m buying into.
Blake Corum
But even at that, like, I don’t even think about like, obviously I have self goals but I’m more focused on my team right now.
I’m really focused on beating Michigan State, beating Ohio State again, and going to win the Big 10 Championship and actually going all the way this year.
You know…that’s my focus, like I’m really not focused on myself…That’s gonna come…the yardage, yards per carry, yards after carry, like, oh, that’s gonna come but like, as long as you focus on the team. That’s why I’m…focusing on making sure my o-line gets better- what can I do to help them get better?
What can I do to help the defense get better?
We always say the Team, the Team, the Team and that’s what I’m buying into…It’s really not about me at the end of the day.
I’m gonna get mine you know, but I’m here for my team. I’m gonna go all the way this year and I think we can as long as we lock in.
But to answer your question, I don’t really care but accolades, you know, like, this preseason stuff is nice, you know, but, uh, I don’t care. I don’t really pay attention to that stuff.
Q:
During you time at St. Francis Academy, did you play with Eyabi Anomo?
Corum:
No, he left the year I got there, I got there my junior year. He had gone to Bama…he’s a baller, he’s a baller, he’s gonna help big time. Just go to get him the playbook. He’ll be on the field causing havoc soon. So, you know, I’m glad to have him here.
Q:
Is there a chemistry between running backs and offensive lines to develop? And if so, what have you seen from Oluwatimi and Trente, mixing them in with the three returners from last year?
Corum:
You know, those are your bodyguards, you know, saying so, obviously, you know, between the running back and offensive line, you want to be chemistry with them. You know, because without them, you ain’t gonna do nothing. I don’t care who you are you…You’re not doing nothing without a good offensive line.
So, obviously, you know, you have to have a good chemistry with those guys. You know, I’m always trying to cheer them up…if they mess up, you say you got this, you know, I believe in you. Just things like that. And just like chilling outside of the field, you know, playing around with them and here, like just building that good connection.
So when it’s time to go to war y’all you have each other’s back…they have my back and I have their back for sure.
What’s your second question?
Q: Oluwatimi and Trente?
Dogs, the dogs, they’re going to help the team. Olu, he’s strong. Trente you know, he’s been here for a couple of years so he’s learned from some guys…He’s just fitting right down, you know, so they’re doing their thing. They’re doing great things right now. I can’t wait for the 3rd.
Q:
Blake with Cade and JJ, what are you seeing from each of them? And number they?
I’m just seeing those two compete each and every day. You know, they cheer each other on…I see two guys that can go and be starters…they’re both great at what they do…
We’ll see who starts…that’s above my pay grade. But whoever starts I know they’re gonna be there for each other.
Blake Corum
Corum:
I’m just seeing those two compete each and every day. You know, they cheer each other on. And I see two guys that can go and be starters…they’re both great at what they do…They have different skill sets, but they also have some similar skill sets. They’re just great guys, they’re a great QBs. Their IQ for the game is is big…their IQ is huge.
We’ll see who starts you know- that’s above my pay grade. But, you know, whoever starts I know they’re gonna be there for each other and cheer each on. But they’re killing it right now. They’re killing it.
Q:
Speaking of pay grade, CJ Stroud was talking today in a Columbus about revenue sharing with this huge television contract that the Big 10 worked out. What what are your feelings about that for players?
Corum:
So I mean, I didn’t see what’s going on. I don’t know.
Q:
Gigantic television contract a lot of money. And Jim Harbaugh touched on it at Big 10 media days revenue sharing is something that should be considered for the players.
Corum:
Oh, revenue from the TV? I guess that can be cool. I really didn’t I didn’t see nothing about this, I don’t really have an answer. But, uh, I mean, it’d be awesome, you know, for the players.
But hey, let’s play some ball…
Q:
When you watch film of Coach Hart, what do you see?
Corum:
Dog- you know a dog…an animal, you know what I’m saying the way he ran…He ran hard. You know, he has some jiggle, too. Coach Hart might be a little faster than me but Coach Hart was that guy. As you can see he leads Michigan in rushing yards and more than that, but having him as my coach is like, it’s a blessing. It’s the biggest blessing in my opinion that’s happened to me since I’ve been here. He’s helped me so much with my game and he’s helped me with life too. You know, he’s just a great guy. I’m blessed to have him as my coach…When he was here, he was a dog for sure. I love watching this film, how hard he used to run and making guys miss and things like that. But like I said, I’m I’m blessed to have him as my coach, I really look up to him.
Edits made for clarity.
