Blake Corum on goals with Los Angeles Rams: 'I believe in winning — that's the only thing that matters'
Former Michigan Wolverines football running back Blake Corum is one of the newest members of the Los Angeles Rams after being selected No. 83 overall in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. For Corum, heading to the Rams is a “full-circle” moment.
“It was actually really funny, the first team I ever played for when I was five or six years old was the Rams,” Corum said.
Corum was planning on declaring for the NFL Draft after the 2022 campaign, but a season-ending knee injury suffered against Illinois changed his plans. He couldn’t play in the postseason, where the Wolverines lost to TCU in the national semifinal, and decided to return for “unfinished business” in 2023. Business was finished with Michigan posting a 15-0 record and winning the national championship.
“I wouldn’t take anything back,” Corum said of how it played out. “I’m glad I came back for another year at the University of Michigan. We did everything we set out to do — win a national championship, I had another year to play with my brothers and I got my degree.
“And getting drafted in the third round is amazing. Obviously, everyone wants to get drafted higher, but I think this is where God intended me to be. So I’m just blessed. I’m excited to get to work, meet my teammates and do whatever I can to help the organization continue to win.”
Corum enters a Rams running back group that includes the league’s third-leading rusher in third-year pro Kyren Williams, who ran for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns in a breakout 2023 campaign.
“I actually trained down in Miami for the combine, and Kyren was down there training,” Corum said. “We didn’t get to train together much, but we talked a little bit.
“He’s a great running back. He was the [third]-leading rusher in the NFL, so I know he’s gonna help me get better, I’m gonna push him to be the best version of himself and it’s gonna be a great tandem, great duo. I’m excited to actually get down and create a bond and a relationship with Kyren. He’s a heck of a back.”
The 5-foot-8, 205-pounder especially excels in short-yardage and goal line situations, though he’s shown he’s a complete back throughout his career. Last season at Michigan, Corum had 31 rushes from the opponent’s 5-yard line or closer, resulting in a nation-leading 22 touchdowns.
“This right here — this heart, and the mindset,” Corum said of what makes him successful at the goal line. “And being able to find the small creases that the defnese allows you to go and score.
“When you get inside the five, you have to have a nose for the end zone, and I think I did that throughout my career at Michigan but especially my senior year. I think it’s my sudden quickness to be able to find those small holes and then to just ride the offensive line all the way into the end zone.”
Michigan’s all-time leader with 61 total touchdowns checked off about every box one can in college, but he still has more goals ahead.
“For me, the main goal is I would love to win a Super Bowl, get the Lombardi Trophy,” Corum stated. “That’s the main goal. I believe that’s the goal because that puts the team first, and that’s the type of guy I am. I believe in winning — that’s the only thing that matters.
“Personal goals, obviously, just be the best running back I can possibly be. That’s just taking it one day at a time. So I don’t have these huge goals going into my rookie year, but just be the best teammate, best version of myself and do everything I can to help the Rams win.”
Overall, Corum is ready to do what it takes to bring a third Lombardi Trophy to the Rams’ franchise.
“I feel like I’m very efficient. I love when the ball is in my hand, but also I don’t need the ball in my hand; I just want to win,” Corum said.
“The last couple years at the University of Michigan, I’ve definitely been very successful at running the ball. I’ve been putting up a lot of touchdowns, but going into the NFL I’m just trying to be the best version of myself this rookie year. I believe my game will translate to the NFL, and I’m super excited to meet my teammates and continue on this journey of being a running back and a football player.”
