247 top25 returning RBs confirms what we already know, top backfield in the country!
5. DONOVAN EDWARDS (MICHIGAN)
(Photo: Junfu Han, USA TODAY Sports)
Blake Corum's return to Michigan means we'll have to wait to see what Donovan Edwards can do as the No. 1 option, but really, we saw it last season when Corum was unavailable against Ohio State. In the biggest game of the season up to that point, Edwards scorched the Buckeyes for 216 yards on 22 carries, scoring two long touchdowns, one being from 85 yards out. From there, Edwards continued to dominate, logging 185 yards and a score on 25 carries against Purdue in the Big Ten Championship Game before a 119-yard performance against TCU in the College Football Playoff on 23 carries. He finished the season with 140 yards, 991 yards and seven touchdowns.
*** typo: should read 140 carries, does anyone proofread?
1. BLAKE CORUM (MICHIGAN)
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(Photo: Aaron J. Thornton, Getty)
Speaking of the Doak Walker Award, Corum will likely be the favorite to capture the award in 2023, which probably comes as little surprise. Corum is a machine and showcased it throughout the 2022 season. He began the season with three consecutive games where he finished under 100 yards, but all three were lopsided victories. From there, he rushed for triple digits in each game up until the Ohio State clash where he ran for just six yards on two carries due to injury. He finished the 2022 campaign with 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns on 247 carries.
February 8th, 2023 at 9:07 AM ^
I am not an offensive coordinator, but if I were, I would be busy this offseason designing a bunch of 2 back sets, with reads built in to take advantage of Donovan's flexibility. Defense goes heavy? Motion him out and get him matched up on a LB. Defense goes light? Run the damn ball. JJ's pretty decent as a ball handler, you ought to be able to get the defense going in multiple directions and you've got DAT OL.
However the coaches scheme it up it's going to be fun to watch.
February 8th, 2023 at 9:07 AM ^
For those keeping score, the players from the Big Ten:
25. Kaleb Johnson (IA)
16. Roman Hemby (MD)
8. Treyveon Henderson (OH)
7. Miyan Williams (OH)
6. Nick Singleton (PA)
5. Donovan Edwards (MI)
4. Braelon Allen (WI)
1. Blake Corum (MI)
Guess they're expecting osu to have the second best backfield duo in the country. The Game in AA this year will be Epic.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
How inept does OSU have to be to not make the top 10 for everything? In the 2022 preseason Treyvion Henderson was ranked above Corum by nearly every publication, despite Corum essentially putting up better YPC as the secondary back.
February 8th, 2023 at 12:44 PM ^
OSU with the second best 1-2 punch at rb. This is fitting since they are getting used to 2nd place.
February 8th, 2023 at 9:20 AM ^
This could be the greatest college RB duo since, what, Eric Dickerson and Craig James? Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders? Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard?
February 8th, 2023 at 9:28 AM ^
Here's a great list of running back duos to pick from.
February 8th, 2023 at 10:10 AM ^
*long before CJK5H
February 8th, 2023 at 11:49 AM ^
Allegedly
February 8th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
Or we could go through the litany of Bama duos that had helped cement their dynasty before they were able to have 4 straight NFL starting QBs:
Ingram & Richardson, Richardson & Lacy, Lacy & Yeldon, Yeldon & Henry, Henry & Scarborough, Scarbarough & D. Harris, D. Harris and N. Harris, N. Harris and Jacobs.
February 8th, 2023 at 12:40 PM ^
Al Borges had the Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown tandem at Auburn. They were pretty ridiculous.
February 8th, 2023 at 4:13 PM ^
I loved watching Darren McFadden and Felix Jones (and Peyton Hillis, to a lesser extent) at Arkansas. They were awesome.
Of course, you can't mention backfield duos and leave out LenDale White/Reggie Bush.
February 8th, 2023 at 9:59 AM ^
6 out of the top 10 in the B1G....The conference is absolutely LOADED..
February 8th, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^
Henderson isn't anything special. Singleton has shown promise but I think there is still some that needs to be seen for him. Williams and Allen are studs.
February 8th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
Now do QBs
February 8th, 2023 at 10:09 AM ^
We all know what Blake is, and this the best RB at UM since Wheatley and maybe ever. His vision is A+ and I'd put it even better than Hart's. A little more action in the passing game wouldn't be bad, but with the way he morphed his body I think we use him appropriately; but for the love of God, no more 30 carry games vs teams like Nebraska!
Edwards reminds me of Darren McFadden (2x Heisman Runner-Up who got robbed in my opinion in 2007) with his build and running style. A guy who is a little slimmer in the leg area but can produce some power, and is always a crease away from taking it to the house. Unlike McFadden, Edwards is a phenomenal receiving back and I see a high liklihood he has a longer career in the NFL than Corum because of this.
February 8th, 2023 at 4:17 PM ^
I love the McFadden+ comp with the build, running style, and plus pass-catching abilities, although that may also be a little bit scheme since he was a decent pass-catcher.
February 8th, 2023 at 10:31 AM ^
With Singleton and Allen for Penn State, Williams and Henderson for OSU and off course Edwards and Corum, the Big Ten East could easily be ranked 1,2,3 nationally for running back rooms.
February 8th, 2023 at 10:34 AM ^
I seriously hope our offensive game planning takes full advantage of this two headed (or three, or four headed) monster.... Line up with both in the backfield, motion Edwards to the slot, with Wilson and Johnson lined up wide, still have Corum and McCarthy as running threats and Edwards being covered by a LB.... That seems like a defensive coordinator's nightmare.....
February 8th, 2023 at 11:51 AM ^
All that and someone has to cover Loveland, too.
Good times for us, nightmares for opposing DCs.
February 8th, 2023 at 10:41 AM ^
Perhaps I missed it, but there’s nary a mention of Edwards throwing the ball.
This ability adds yet another dimension to the threats the offense can present.
And, I expect the next time DE attempts a pass, perhaps in the Spring Game, that members of the media will note a QB controversy in A2 between JJ and Donovan.
February 8th, 2023 at 12:02 PM ^
Edwards is a gem. He could pout about Blake returning, or even transfer. Because it nixes his legitimate Heisman chances now, but he's all about the team.
February 8th, 2023 at 12:42 PM ^
I am hoping Edwards plays more snaps then Corum actually. Not necessarily at RB but between RB/Slot him and Corum need to be on the field together a lot. Give him 10-15 carries a game and 5-7 targets while Corum gets his 20 carries. Could make a dynamic offense having a LB or Safety line up in coverage on Edwards is asking for trouble and will put great stress on defense when Corum is also in backfield on 3&4
February 8th, 2023 at 2:15 PM ^
Truly an embarrassment of riches
February 8th, 2023 at 4:07 PM ^
Donovan lit tuos up in the second half which really wasn't that surprising...but his psu perfomance was his best as a Wolverine.
February 8th, 2023 at 5:01 PM ^
I like Kaytron Allen better than Nick Singleton, though both are going to be a problem. The talent among RBs in the B1G is sick. But, the order at the top is right.