Michigan's Blake Corum Reflects on NIL Legacy, Investing in his Future
A week after earning Offensive MVP in Michigan's National Championship victory, celebrating with his teammates and fans back in Ann Arbor and declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, running back Blake Corum finally has a chance to catch his breath and reflect on his recent accomplishments.
The senior finishes his team in Ann Arbor as Michigan's all-time leader in total touchdowns, rushing touchdown, career points and set a single-season rushing touchdown record this year, which also led the nation.
As Corum prepares for February's NFL Combine, the All-American said his goodbyes to his Michigan family, hoping that they'd remember him for his work in the community not just his frequency in the end zone.
"Thank you to my family, coaches and everyone who showed support throughout my journey," Corum said in a video posted across his social media channels. "I have always said: football is my passion, but giving back is my purpose. Michigan, please don't remember me for scoring 59 touchdowns and breaking long runs, but remember me as a great Michigan man who made a difference on and off the field."
Corum's impact in the community is unprecedented in college sports. For the third straight Thanksgiving, the Wolverine star used NIL funds to purchase and hand out free turkeys to help Ann Arbor families in need. Over Christmas - while preparing for the College Football Playoff - Corum hosted a toy-drive that included over 10,000 fans participating, to benefit a Detroit-based charity. For his service, Corum was named captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes college football athletes for their unwavering commitment to community service and their “good works” off the field.
The Michigan star has a clear perspective of what he wants his legacy to be and is the case study on how to leverage NIL to benefit others. Corum's NIL portfolio - including a partnership with CELSIUS energy drink - has not only fueled his body, but his work in the community.
This season, Corum starred in a national marketing campaign for the energy drink - alongside Michael Penix Jr. of Washington, Bo Nix of Oregon and Travis Hunter of Colorado - that aired during the bowl season.
Having two of their NIL stars facing off in the National Championship was a big brand win for CELSIUS, who couldn't have planned their athlete roster any better, featuring Heisman finalists, All-Americans and one champ.
"It meant a lot to be featured in the campaign along with the greats," Corum shared with Sports Illustrated. "You know, one of them I played in the National Championship with Michael Penix. It was amazing being a part of such great college athletes and great beverage."
The partnership was much deeper than typical NIL transactional deals as Corum saw a lot of himself in the CELSIUS product and recent brand trajectory.
"CELSIUS is a high-rising brand," he said. "I believe they've grown so much over the last couple of years. I feel like I've done the same, so it was good for that. But also, I consider myself energetic - especially on the field always trying to make big plays - and CELSIUS does the same thing. As you can see in the campaign, we were getting after it. It was awesome we were able to collab. It was a great project."
Outside of his work with CELSIUS, Corum counts Peloton, Wolverine Boots, SANA, The Realest, 7-Eleven and Burt Watson Chevy among his NIL partners. He is such a role model in the space that he was featured on Sports Illustrated's "Money Issue" cover earlier this season.
"I want my NIL legacy to be about college student-athletes using their platform to market themselves because they are a brand at the end of the day," Corum added. "But when you do receive NIL money, make sure you're not necessarily buying all the fashion clothes, but more so giving back to the community and investing in yourself."
Among his great success on the field, in NIL and through his community endeavors, Corum is adamant about empowering the next generation of athletes to use NIL as a long-term play for the financial future.
"It's a blessing that college student-athletes are making money now," Corum said. "So, start your career now. I bought real estate. And so, you know, I started now, and it will definitely pay off. And when you look back in 20 years, you'll be glad you didn't buy a bunch of expensive clothes or jewelry, and you're invested in, maybe some real estate or whatever you're interested in."
As Corum takes the next step in his career, his impact on and off the field will be felt in Ann Arbor, the Michigan community and across the national for years to come.
