While he’s not there yet, Blake Corum certainly has thoughts about the way NFL teams are treating running backs.
During the offseason, star professional backs like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs have been letting their frustrations be known about value of the position. They have been fighting for higher salaries and longer contracts. But those things haven’t come to fruition. Even Dalvin Cook was released by the Minnesota Vikings and is now searching for a new home. Barkley just recently signed a one-year deal worth just a bit more than the franchise tag he was placed on by the Giants, earning up to $11 million with incentives.
The devaluing of the position has been a hot-button issue in the sports media and NFL, and Corum has taken note of it.
“It’s a little frustrating,” he said. “I’m not there yet, so, I can’t speak for the players that are going through it but I see they are having their meetings and hopefully things can change. Because the running back position has always – and still is – a valuable position.”
He mentioned greats like Walter Payton and Barry Sanders along with today’s stars, such as Derrick Henry.
“Those guys mean a lot to the game, why not treat them as such?”
After the 2022 season ended, Corum debated declaring for the NFL Draft or remaining at Michigan. He said he’d wake up every day with a new thought about what to do. Ultimately, he decided to return to Ann Arbor.
During his appearance at Big Ten Football Media Days, Corum was asked if the short career lifespan for NFL running backs coupled with the pay discrepancy is what helped him stay at Michigan, with his name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals linked to that decision. To this, he said no.
“You know, NIL is great. But for me, it wasn’t – I wasn’t coming back because of NIL,” Corum said. “But that wasn’t anything for me. Honestly, it was the bigger picture. I came back and got my degree. We have one heck of a team coming back. To [accomplish] the goals we’re setting out to do and bring something real nice home to Ann Arbor.”
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was asked during his main stage appearance a similar question in regards to professional running backs. Harbaugh, who coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, said he didn’t know much about NFL pay for the position. It was reported that Harbaugh actually suggested Corum declare, though pay was never brought up.
“What [Corum] shared with me was he wanted the full offseason,” said Harbaugh. “He wanted to be able to get not even back to where he was but better, stronger, faster, quicker than where he was. He wanted that season.
“And then when it was time for him to go into the NFL, he wanted to be able to go in fully prepared with a full workout leading up to those combines and to that draft.”
Harbaugh said that Corum’s return to Michigan made his day, week and offseason.
Looking back, Corum recalled a “great feeling” when he told Harbaugh he was returning.
“Being able to get that off my plate, I was able to focus on getting back, getting my knee right,” he said. “It felt great to tell coach, someone who I look up to a lot. … it was something special.”
The 2022 campaign ended short for Corum, when he suffered a knee injury against Illinois on November 19 and made it worse a week later against Ohio State. He underwent surgery and missed the Big Ten Championship, College Football Playoff Semifinal and the entire spring camp. Corum confirmed in Indianapolis that he was cleared to return in time for fall camp, which begins on Tuesday.
“I had a doctor’s appointment the other day and the doctor cleared me,” Corum said. “Maybe I should double-check with him just to make sure that I’m officially cleared but I’m feeling great.
“So, I’m going to clear myself – I’m good to go.”
