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Blake Corum on 'top-notch' Michigan QB Bryce Underwood: 'You can feel his aura'

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie07/22/25CSayf23
Justice Haynes Blake Corum
Michigan Wolverines football running back Justice Haynes with program legend Blake Corum at the 2025 spring game. (Photo by Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines football legend Blake Corum is entering his second season as a professional running back for the Los Angeles Rams, but he’s remained heavily involved in his college program.

Corum was the honorary head coach for Michigan’s spring game in April, leading the Blue Team to a victory behind solid play from freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound Detroit native.

Corum, Michigan’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns, said he assumes Underwood will be the Wolverines’ starter behind center this fall.

“I got to watch him during the week in practice, and he had some good completions during the game,” Corum said on the ‘Rich Eisen Show.’ “But technically, he should still be in high school, but he was still out there making throws.

“Man, he’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast. You can tell how smart he is, and he has a heck of an arm on him. But just watching him in practice, the throws he was making — top notch, man. Top notch. 

“I assume he’s gonna be the starter. Obviously, he has to win that position. But I think it’s gonna be a good year for my Wolverines, and I think in the last game of the year, we’re going for five this year.”

Five would be in reference to the Ohio State rivalry in which Michigan has firm control. The Wolverines haven’t won five in a row over the Buckeyes since a six-game span from 1922-27, but that’s what they’re aiming for Nov. 29 in Ann Arbor.

Corum was also impressed with the way Underwood goes about his business in the Michigan facility and out on the field.

“You can feel his aura,” Corum said. “You can feel that he walks around with confidence, like he has a little pep in his step. If I was him with the success he’s had, I would too. I believe the way he’s carrying himself as an early enrollee, now a freshman, is very mature. Very mature for a freshman in college. I think he’ll definitely be a great leader for the team and be able to carry this team.

“My Wolverines, I think they’re gonna do a great job, and Coach Moore has been recruiting. They have a heck of a recruiting class. They’ve been getting them left and right, so we’re gonna see, man.”

Blake Corum on J.J. McCarthy

Former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, meanwhile, is the projected starter for the Minnesota Vikings, which has a lot of firepower on its offense. Corum and the Rams beat the Vikings in last year’s playoffs, but McCarthy was injured, having gone down with a knee injury that required two surgeries during preseason.

Corum believes McCarthy will have a good season with Minnesota in 2025.

“J.J. is a very consistent player, athlete,” Corum said of his former Michigan quarterback. “He’s very smart. If we just go back to how he was playing in the preseason [in 2024], he was playing really well. I know the Vikings fans were excited to see him, but unfortunately he had injuries, and everything happens for a reason. He might’ve needed that year.

“But I think he’s gonna be very successful this year. I think he’s gonna play with that chip on his shoulder just to prove to himself and everyone else he is who he says he is. He has the tools around him to be successful.

“Just knowing J.J., knowing how he grinds, knowing how smart he is and his love for the game, I see a very successful year for him and his group.”

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