Blake Corum On National Championship: 'This Is The Biggest Game Of My Career'
Blake Corum didn't arrive in Ann Arbor with a ton of hype as a four-star recruit, but the 5-8, 213 product out of St. Francis Academy has established himself as arguably the greatest running back to ever play at the University of Michigan.
Corum holds the single-season record in points (150) and rushing touchdowns (25), along with holding the No. 1 spot all-time in career rushing touchdowns (56).
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On Monday, he has the opportunity to cap off his incredible career at Michigan by earning the title of 'National Champion'. Here's everything he had to say ahead of Monday's game:
Q. Number one, you guys take it in at all, just accept how many people are here?
BLAKE CORUM: Yeah, we like to take everything in, whether that be media, yesterday most likely my last practice in Schembechler Hall, taking the whole thing in. It's a great experience and blessed to be here.
Q. You said you had one goal here this year, unfinished business. Now that you're one game away from finishing that business, has it sunk in the magnitude of this game for you guys?
BLAKE CORUM: I haven't. I haven't taken in really the win that we had last week just because I'm so laser focused on finishing the job. I know this is the biggest game of my career. I know what I bring to the table. I just got to bring me, do what I can do for our team, you know, and let the game speak for itself.
After 60 minutes, look back and know I gave everything I had. I'm so locked in right now and we'll be ready.
Q. From 2020 to the role you have now...
BLAKE CORUM: Yeah, you know, 2020 was a tough year for everyone, COVID, went 2-4. We had to change the culture. The culture wasn't what it was supposed to be. Ever since 2021 we've become brothers, and it all started in the locker room, just everyone congregating with everyone and laughing and having fun and knowing I got my brother's back no matter the situation.
That's where it all started. Once we become brothers we been successful ever since.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
BLAKE CORUM: Oh, 100%. It was always for us Houston or bust. I even said it I believe back in February at one of the Michigan basketball games. I had the mic in front of the Chrysler Arena and I told the fans, I promise you we're going to win a National Championship.
We haven't done it yet, so have to stay locked in this week. The hay is never in the barn. Make sure we watch as much film we can over the next couple days and make sure we're prepared for Monday.
This is everything I dreamed of, everything I came back for. Just blessed to be here.
Q. What was it like a year ago when you were going through the injuries? What were you at mentally?
BLAKE CORUM: It was tough, just because I've been playing football since the age six and I never had an injury that sat me out like that one did. Especially during the season the guys were having. I wanted to be there for my guys.
It put me in a deep hole, a hole I've never been in just mentally. I had to find a way to get out. I'm a firm believer in God. He helped me in my journey. My family, sisters, mom, dad, girlfriend, everyone helped. I was able to get out, and because of my injury it made me a better man.
So I'm blessed to have gone through something like that, but it was tough. It was tough.
Q. Also made mention that you're a better leader. How do you think your leadership has...
BLAKE CORUM: You know, I understand -- something about me is I'm always trying to uplift people, no matter what. If they're having a bad day, always trying to put a smile on their face and letting them know it's okay.
When I got hurt I wasn't listening to what I preach, and I have to practice what I preach. Therefore, that made me a better leader, captain, just going through adversity.
When we went through adversity this year, I was always there for my guys and letting them know this is something small. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel and we're going to be going to be okay as long is a we stick together.
So everything that happened last year has helped me become a better leader and captain.
Q. The game against Washington in 2021, what do you remember that game?
BLAKE CORUM: Yeah, I remember it was amazing. It was electric. The fans were great, and I expect them to be great Monday. I believe I went for, I don't know, 150-plus, a couple touchdowns, so it was definitely a great game.
But I don't really think about any of those games. I'm only focused on the biggest game of my life right now, making sure everything I do -- I've done so far this week and everything I will do until Monday, make sure it pays off come the end of 60 minutes Monday night.
Q. How incredible do you find... (indiscernible)
BLAKE CORUM: That's hard to do. It's hard to do, to do a whole season not losing a game. Both teams have had very close games, games they might have could have lost. We had one or two and they've had some.
It's incredibly awesome to have two undefeated teams going into the National Championship game. Makes the game better. It's something, yeah, you have to lose the National Championship, but someone is going to go 14-1.
We definitely don't want that to be us, so we are going to do everything we can to make sure that doesn't happen.
It's awesome.
Q. (Regarding a question asked of JJ.)
BLAKE CORUM: Yeah, you know, Coach Harbaugh did say that. I think that's what this team is doing. I think we're ready to eat our last meal. We're hungry. We're not full at all. We're starving. Last week's game was cool. Last week's game was fun.
We can talk about that, but we have to stick to the task at hand and focus on the job we have to finish, and after that we can talk about the Rose Bowl, the National Championship.
Right now we're just focused on our practice, executing at a high level, paying attention to detail, making sure we can watch as much film as we can to make sure Monday we come out on top and make our Michigan fans and Michigan alum and Michigan happy.
Q. (Regarding dreaming of being at this stage.)
BLAKE CORUM: I was young. I started playing football at the age of six and been watching football ever since, college, NFL.
So this is something I've always dreamed of, getting to this stage, getting an opportunity to play in the National Championship. What a blessing it is. I thank God so much for allowing me to be here.
I'm just so thankful, so thankful to be given this opportunity. It's truly a blessing.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
BLAKE CORUM: Yeah, you know, it means a lot. It means a lot just because this is the last year of it, so we have to go out on the top, go out with a bang.
Yeah, people remember the first time you do something, but they really remember the last time. So it's an exciting game, a lot at stake, but we're super excited and wouldn't want it any other way. We'll be ready for Monday.
Q. (Regarding long time since winning a championship.)
BLAKE CORUM: Yeah, it's been a long time, like you said, '97. It was a great team. Michigan has had great teams since then. I think since it's been such a long time it makes the stage even bigger, because Michigan being Michigan, it makes it bigger.
So we're super excited and blessed to be able to be in this situation. We have to come out on top. We have to make sure we're locked in, play as brothers, and play the Michigan way. If we do that, I think after the game we'll be happy with the results.
Q. Your thoughts on Washington's front seven and the challenges?
BLAKE CORUM: Yeah, Washington's front seven, big, strong, especially interior. Big, strong guys, guys that build a wall.
Then you go to the D-ends, they're fast, strong, long. They can play D-end, linebacker, so just they're great athletes that stick to the coach's plan. They are definitely going to bring us a challenge, but not a challenge we're not up for.
Super excited to get the play the Washington Huskies.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
BLAKE CORUM: Yeah, we have to start fast whether it's the pass game or the run game. We must assert our dominance and show them we're not there to play around. I think it would be very important to have a diverse game, but start early, whether like I said, that be passing, running ball.
We have to start early in whatever we do just because Washington does have a great offense, but we do have the No. 1 defenses. So it's going to be a great matchup. I think both teams are here for a reason, and it's a blessing that we're both here. We are going to go out there and give everyone a good show, and I'm super excited.
Q. You guys played in a lot of high-stakes games the last few months. How do you guys avoid burnout?
BLAKE CORUM: You know, how do we avoid burnout? That's easy, because we know what the end goal is. Something about my team, we're not going to stop until we finish the job. This is something we've been thinking about for years and were never able to get it.
Last two years we lost in the college football playoffs and had to go back to the drawing board. Finally here now so we got it by the neck, but we ain't kill it yet.
We have to make sure come Monday we're prepared for any situation we may get in. That's how we don't get burned out, we're so laser focused on the job at hand and what we want.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
BLAKE CORUM: That's very important. I tell everyone, like football is my passion but giving back is my purpose. I believe that. I believe God put me on this earth for something way bigger than football. I think I'm just given the ability to use my football platform to help others.
It's a blessing and something that I'm going to do the rest of my life. I have some big things coming up in the community, especially starting my soon-to-be nonprofit. I'm super excited just to help anyone that I can any chance I get. Just try to make the world a better place.
If we all come together as one, this world would be a better place, so that's what I'm trying to do. Sometimes it only takes one person, one person and then others will start to follow. I believe I'm just trying to use my platform the best I can the way that God would want me to.
Q. What would winning a national championship mean?
BLAKE CORUM: It would mean everything to me. Something I've worked for my whole life. Growing up, like I never really hung out with friends. I always worked out, always training just because I had these goals and dreams in mind.
This would definitely be another steppingstone of mine. So it would mean everything to come out on top, victorious, and check another box off. But it's just a blessing to be here.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
BLAKE CORUM: You know, the Ohio State one was such a good one because came after my big guy Zach Zinter got hurt. Last Monday, that was special. It's taken a team effort. Yeah I scored a touchdown, but it's a team effort. My guys up front, the receivers, tight ends, they all help me get into the end zone.
It's not a one-man show. That one right there just because it was such a great game in it overtime, so that was two tough ones. I don't know which one I like the most.
Q. (Indiscernible.) Do you consider yourself an example of the reason to stay in college football?
BLAKE CORUM: Yeah, I mean, I think definitely people can look at what I've done and say, I want to stay. It's also about what you want. For me, I wanted to leave a legacy, be remembered forever, and not just for scoring some touchdowns.
I wanted to leave a bigger legacy on and off the field. That's one of the main reasons of coming back. One of the other main reasons was being here today.
So I think for me, it was a great idea to come back because that's what I wanted. Also, just depends what you want at the end of the day. Some people are different, but I think definitely people can use me as a reason why to come back to any school.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
BLAKE CORUM: You know, we just want to show we're not here to play any games. It's strictly business. We're here to play a great football game. We're here to start our dominance, and obviously come out victorious.
Like you said, Washington has a great offense. Washington has a great defense. But we have a terrific defense and great offense, so it's going to be a good one come Monday.
We just want to start fast and show them that it's going to be a long game. May the best man win.
Q. You use the term "process over prize." What does that mean and where does that start with this team?
BLAKE CORUM: We said that like day one at camp. This whole season has been process over prize just because we have gone through a lot, a lot of adversity and trials and tribulations.
We always stuck to the process. Never got distracted. Because we stuck to the process we're here today as brothers and as the University of Michigan and the Wolverines.
It's been process over prize since the first day of camp. I'm glad we stuck to the plan.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
BLAKE CORUM: Oh, man. You know, Meechie, his story, very inspiring, to the point of like even on my bad days, like it wasn't as bad as his. You couldn't tell. You couldn't really tell when he was going through because he was so strong mentally, physically.
He did everything he could to live out each day to the fullest. That's what we should do as humans. No matter what we go through, if we think it's something big, people out there are really going through tough times and not acting like it, so why should we?
His story is super inspiring. God bless him. He's looking over us. Yeah, Meechie.
Q. When you guys score, JJ puts a crown on you guys. Do you remember how that started?
BLAKE CORUM: I don't know exactly how the crown started, but, hey, it's been fun. He does it all the time. He crowns everyone because I think he said he sees us as kings. That's something No. 9 does. It's amazing.
