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Wolverines in the NFL: Zach Charbonnet, Blake Corum taking advantage of increased opportunity

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie12/10/24CSayf23
Zach Charbonnet
Former Michigan Wolverines football running back Zach Charbonnet had 2 touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals. (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Two former Michigan Wolverines football running backs stood out in the NFL in Week 14, led by Zach Charbonnet with the Seattle Seahawks. Charbonnet had a bigger role in a 30-18 win over division rival Arizona, filling in as the starter while Kenneth Walker III is injured.

Charbonnet had 22 carries for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. It marked his first career game with more than 20 rush attempts and 100 rushing yards, shattering his previous bests.

Charbonnet’s first touchdown put the Seahawks up 17-7 late in the first quarter, and the next — a 51-yard dash — pushed the lead to 24-10 late in the second stanza.

“Ken’s obviously a dynamite back, and we’d love to have him. But so is Zach,” Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald said. “We didn’t feel like we needed to make any adjustments. “We gave [Charbonnet] a game ball. Gave the offensive line a game ball. Just ran really physical, and it’s tough to tackle that guy in the open field. He’s got speed and power. So, excited for him.”

Former Michigan running back Blake Corum is starting to earn more run, as well. He recorded 8 rush attempts for the second week in a row, this time churning out 34 yards in a 44-42 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Corum has earned more time lately, cutting into reps for starter Kyren Williams, who’s having a stellar campaign with over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Rams and Seahawks are battling in the NFC West, with both teams notching big victories over the weekend. The Seahawks have a one-game lead on the Rams, sitting at 8-5 compared to 7-6.

“This is what we needed today,” Corum said. “It started last week, but then we had a great week of practice this week, and that’s what we continued to preach, to treat each and every day as its own. We went to work, and we came out today guns firing. Now, we’re still in the hunt. It’s a great time to be a Ram.”

Corum spoke on his increased role.

“It feels awesome. It’s allowed me to kinda get into a rhythm. I feel like Kyren and I are feeding off each other, as well. It’s great, man. It’s great.”

Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 14:

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Erick All (played at Michigan from 2019-21), TE, Cincinnati Bengals

Racked up 20 catches for 158 yards, starting six of nine games for the 4-7 Bengals … Suffered a torn ACL Nov. 3 and will miss the remainder of the season.

AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks

The former Indiana and Michigan tight end hauled in 1 catch for 13 yards in a 30-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Reeled in 22 receptions for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns in 13 appearances with five starts for the 8-5 Seahawks, who stand atop the NFC West … His 22 catches are the fourth-most among rookie tight ends.

Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Started at left guard in a 28-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders … Opened all 13 outings at that position for the 7-6 Bucs, who hold the pole position in the NFC South … Registered a 56.5 overall PFF rating with a team-worst 24 pressures and 1 sack allowed.

Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Cleveland Browns

Registered 6 tackles, including 1 for loss, in a 27-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Has made all 5 of his tackles for loss this season in the last five games … Totaled 63 tackles and a pass breakup in 13 games with nine starts for the 3-10 Browns.

Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB, Seattle Seahawks

The former Michigan and UCLA running back was filling in for starter Kenneth Walker III and had a big performance in a 30-18 triumph over the Arizona Cardinals … Posted season highs in rush attempts (22), rushing yards (134) and touchdowns (2, tied), adding 7 receptions for 59 yards with a 20-yard long.

Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans

Had a bye over the weekend … Tallied 49 receptions for 832 yards and 3 touchdowns for the 8-5 Texans.

Junior Colson (2021-23), LB, Los Angeles Chargers

Posted 2 tackles in 13 defensive snaps and six special teams plays in a 19-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs … Totaled 16 tackles and a pass breakup in seven games for the 8-5 Chargers … Colson was on injured reserve but returned for Sunday night’s game at Arrowhead.

Blake Corum (2020-23), RB, Los Angeles Rams

Rushed 8 times for 34 yards in a 44-42 win over the Buffalo Bills … His 8 carries are tied with two other games for the most in his career … He’s rushed 8 times each of the last two games … Totaled 182 yards on 45 carries and 31 yards on 4 receptions in 13 outings.

Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

The former CMU and Michigan defensive end registered 31 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 4 quarterback hits while opening all nine games in which he’s played for the 12-1 Chiefs.

Chris Evans (2016-18, ’20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Out for season (knee injury).

Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers

Racked up 3 tackles with 1 for loss and a sack with 2 quarterback hits in a 34-31 loss to the Detroit Lions Thursday night … Started all 13 games for the 9-4 Packers … Totaled 37 tackles, 5 stops for loss and 5.5 sacks this season.

Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OL, Detroit Lions

Started at left guard in a 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers to improve to 12-1 and keep the division lead over the Packers and Minnesota Vikings … Started all 13 clashes this season.

Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles

Tore his tricep Nov. 24 and is out for the season, which might be his last in the league … Recorded 20 tackles, 6 stops for loss, 3.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hits, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 11 games with one start for the Eagles.

Jaylen Harrell (2020-23), OLB, Tennessee Titans

Didn’t record any statistics in eight defensive snaps in a 10-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars … Tallied 12 tackles and 2 stops for loss in 13 clashes for the 3-10 Titanas.

Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Los Angeles Chargers

The former Michigan running back didn’t have any rush attempts in a 19-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs … Recorded 14 rushes for 26 yards and a touchdown in 13 outings for the 8-5 Chargers.

LaDarius Henderson (2023), OG, Houston Texans

On the “reserve/non-football injury” list, having undergone foot surgery in July.

Dax Hill (2019-21), CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 5, after totaling 25 tackles and 2 pass breakups as a starter at cornerback.

Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Cleveland Browns

Saw time on special teams with a 27-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Made 7 tackles in 13 games this season.

James Hudson III (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns

On the injured reserve … Hasn’t played since Sept. 29, his fourth appearance of the season.

Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns

Missed this weekend’s game with an ankle injury and has been placed on injured reserve … Tallied 16 tackles, including 4 for loss, along with a half-sack in eight games with two starts.

Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DE, Detroit Lions

Out indefinitely with a broken fibula and tibia suffered Oct. 13 at Dallas … He has 19 tackles, 7 stops for loss, 7.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and a forced fumble while opening five tilts.

Kris Jenkins (2020-23), DT, Cincinnati Bengals

Recorded 2 tackles in a 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys … Started five of 11 games, registering 25 tackles, including 1 for loss, and 1 sack.

Trevor Keegan (2019-23), OG, Philadelphia Eagles

Hasn’t made his NFL debut.

Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys

Tied his season high with 7 tackles in a 27-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals Monday night … Tallied 52 tackles, 4 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 12 games with nine starts for the 5-8 Cowboys.

J.J. McCarthy (2021-23), QB, Minnesota Vikings

Set to miss the entire season with a knee injury suffered in preseason … Underwent a second surgery in November.

Braiden McGregor (2020-23), EDGE, New York Jets

Inactive for the third-straight week and seventhgame of the season … Made 4 tackles in six games.

Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts

Had a bye … Seen action in six games, making 2 tackles.

Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings

The former Michigan safety posted 7 tackles, 1 interception and a pass breakup in a 42-21 win over the Atlanta Falcons … Made 78 tackles, 4 pass breakups and 2 tackles for loss in 13 games with seven starts for the 11-2 Vikings.

Joe Milton (2018-20), QB, New England Patriots

Yet to make his NFL debut

Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers

Made a 23-yard field goal, his only attempt, in a 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears … Made 20 of his 26 field goal attempts in 10 games for the 6-7 49ers.

Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks

The former Michigan defensive end saw 15 snaps on special teams in a 30-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals …. Made 5 tackles in 11 games.

David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens

Had a bye … Registered 5 tackles and a sack in nine games for the 8-5 Ravens.

Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks

Started at center for the fourth straight game, registering a 57.0 overall PFF rating in a 30-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals … Opened four of eight contests.

Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots

Bye over the weekend … Opened all 13 games for the 3-10 Patriots, including the last six at right guard.

Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts

Had a bye … Tallied 33 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and a forced fumble in 11 games with as many starts for the 6-7 Colts.

Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots

Had a bye … Played last week for the first time since September after being taken off the commissioner’s exempt list … Competed in five games, starting all of them, and totaling 32 tackles and 2 pass breakups with a tackle for loss.

Josh Ross (2017-21), LB, Seattle Seahawks

The former Michigan captain played 20 plays on special teams but didn’t record any stats in a 30-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Seen time in 13 games overall, including six with the Seahawks after being waived by the Baltimore Ravens, and has made 2 tackles with his new team.

Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints

Started at right guard in a 14-11 win over the New York Giants … Opened all nine games in which he’s played at right guard for the 5-8 Saints, posting a 65.7 overall PFF rating with 5 pressures and a sack allowed.

Jon Runyan (2016-19), OG, New York Giants

Opened a 14-11 loss to the New Orleans Saints at right guard … Started all 13 outings for the 2-11 Giants, recording a 56.1 overall PFF rating with 29 pressures and 2 sacks given up.

Mike Sainristil (2019-23), CB, Washington Commanders

Had a bye … Tallied 68 tackles, including 1 for loss, and 9 pass breakups in 13 outings with 12 starts for the 8-5 Commanders.

Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys

The former Michigan tight end hauled in 2 catches for 22 yards in a 27-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals Monday night … Reeled in 24 catches for 222 yards and 1 touchdown in 13 outings with five starts on the year.

Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys

Made a tackle in a 27-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Started all 13 games, posting 32 tackles, including 3 for loss, and a half-sack with 2 quarterback hits.

Benjamin St-Juste (2017-18), CB, Washington Commanders

Had a bye … Started all 13 games, with 62 tackles, 7 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Andrew Stueber (2017-21), OT/G, Cincinnati Bengals

Had a bye … Appeared in four games, mostly on special teams.

Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers

On the injured reserve with a forearm injury that has held him out of every game so far.

DJ Turner II (2019-12), CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Went down with a clavicle injury and was placed on injured reserve Nov. 19 … Racked up 29 tackles, 8 pass breakups and a tackle for loss in 11 games with six starts.

Joshua Uche (2016-19), LB, Kansas City Chiefs

Inactive in a Sunday night win over the Los Angeles Chargers … He was a healthy scratch … Made 12 tackles and 2 sacks in 12 games this season, including five appearances after being traded from the New England Patriots to the Chiefs.

Ben VanSumeren (2018-20), LB/FB, Philadelphia Eagles

Currently on injured reserve with a knee injury … Totaled 3 tackles in 11 games with one start … Has played offense, defense and special teams this year.

Josh Wallace (2023), CB, Los Angeles Rams

Made a tackle on special teams in a 44-42 win over the Buffalo Bills … Totaled 3 tackles and 2 pass breakups in 13 games for the 7-6 Rams.

Roman Wilson (2020-23), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Missed the beginning of the season with an ankle injury, appeared in two games with no stats but was placed on the injured reserve Oct. 28 (hamstring).

Zak Zinter (2020-23), OG, Cleveland Browns

Competed on special teams in a 27-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Seen action in 13 games with three starts for the 3-10 Browns.

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