Blake Corum believes potential Jim Harbaugh suspension will galvanize Michigan team: 'We're gonna play for him'
Michigan Wolverines football players at Big Ten Media Days didn’t have much to say about head coach Jim Harbaugh‘s potential four-game suspension. Senior running back Blake Corum, one of the top leaders on the team, said they’ll make the most of the situation if it does indeed occur. The Maize and Blue play East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers to kick off the much-anticipated 2023 campaign.
“I don’t know too much about the situation, but as a leader, just rallying my guys,” Corum said of how he’s approach the situation. “If anything, it’s going to make us go even harder. Maybe a little motivation, light a fire under us.
“I’m gonna rally my troops, get them going, and we’re going to do this for Coach Harbaugh if that is the case. But I don’t really know what’s going on too much. Really just bring my guys together and do what we do — play ball, leave it all on the field and get the job done.”
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Michigan has high goals this season, with many players discussing chasing a national championship much more openly than years past. Corum doesn’t believe a potential suspension would derail the season — if anything, the opposite. With Michigan having a light schedule to start, with four straight home games in which they’ll be heavily favored, the Wolverines will still be expected to stay undefeated. If Harbaugh does serve a four-game suspension, his first contest back would be Sept. 30 at Nebraska.
“We’re going to treat each game the same,” the Michigan running back said. “We know Coach Harbaugh, whether he’s there or not … if he’s not there, he’s going to be there in spirit. He’s prepared us enough, so those four games, we can rally together. Like I said, if anything it’s going to light a fire under us, make us want to win even more.”
Michigan players are behind their head coach, as is the general public. The NCAA is often a punching bag for criticism, and this case is no different. Harbaugh allegedly told investigators he did not recall four minor violations from years in the past, but the NCAA is claiming he lied and misled them.
“We love Coach Harbaugh,” Corum continued. “We’re all behind him. Coach Harbaugh is a great coach, he’s a great human being. He does so many good things for the community, for us. You hate to see it. But I don’t know what’s going on. But if that is the case, we’re going to keep playing ball, and we’re gonna play for him.”
Blake Corum on health
Corum said he had a doctor’s appointment “the other day,” and he believes the doctor cleared him, though he joked he may follow up just to “double check.”
“I feel like a million bucks,” Corum said. “I feel great. I’m finally back. It feels good being back with my guys all summer, after a long process of rehab, being on crutches for six weeks. It was a lot, but it feels great to be back. I’m back completely, and I’m ready for camp.”
