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 8:18 AM ^
Imagine what Edwards can do with two hands.
February 8th, 2023 at 8:45 AM ^
or three hands!
[insert 3-boobed woman from Total Recall]
February 8th, 2023 at 9:13 AM ^
Chappelle/Rick James "4 thumbs down" also applies.
February 8th, 2023 at 10:31 AM ^
Counterpoint: He was having a solid season with two hands then really impressed with only one hand against OSU and TCU. Imagine what he could do with no hands....
February 8th, 2023 at 11:43 AM ^
Or Blake with two knees
February 8th, 2023 at 12:50 PM ^
Couldn’t help but laugh during the OSU game as announcers tried to hype their defensive improvement and the toughness of Tommy “two thumbs” Eichenberg.
Tommy “Two Thumbs” works for the “One Armed” Don.
February 8th, 2023 at 1:02 PM ^
"He's got to have the best defensive series of his life right here. This is what he was brought here to do."
February 8th, 2023 at 3:36 PM ^
I've watched that part of the game like 20 times
February 8th, 2023 at 1:19 PM ^
And more carries. I've always liked Corum a lot, but Edwards is going to be one of Michigan's best pro backs, ever, if not the best. What Edwards did to OSU is what I think he's capable every game. He's Reggie Bush special. Corum's going to have a fine pro career, too, but his legacy will be solidified as one of Michigan's greatest after 2023-24 season.
February 8th, 2023 at 6:39 PM ^
I love Edwards but Reggie Bush was like Edwards speed and big play ability with Corums lateral moves and quickness. Bush was a legit home run risk anytime he touched the ball. Bush was the original Saquon Barkley.
February 9th, 2023 at 3:51 AM ^
Bush was basically a hybrid of the 2 with less power and more speed.
That said, this belief that Edwards is somehow better than Corum is wild.
Michigan fans are more obsessed with backups than any others fanbase in the country.
Both are great backs, both have their strengths, I'm thankful to have both. Corum is just as explosive as Edwards. It's like we forget he was ripping off huge runs against Washington last year. He had a huge run against OSU on one ankle and took it to the house against Purdue a week later.
Corum has like 10 rushes of 40+ in two years. Edwards had 6 this year on basically the same number of carries Blake had in '21 behind Haskins.
But I get it...go for 200+ with 2 monster runs versus OSU and you're the guy people are most excited about. Just the way it works.
Neither can carry the workload on his own in this offense...Michigan needs both if we continue to be this run heavy. Which without our OL...why stop?
February 8th, 2023 at 3:31 PM ^
two hands, in the slot, vs someone ANYONE who wont be able to keep up with him...
Dude is about to be unleashed in the open field.... good luck defending
February 8th, 2023 at 8:22 AM ^
Great runners. Thanks for posting. Go Blue!
February 8th, 2023 at 8:23 AM ^
*** typo: should read 140 carries, does anyone proofread?
No! First to print wins! Grammar be damned!
Or maybe it was written by an mgoblog shit-poster?
February 8th, 2023 at 8:59 AM ^
I also saw this in the article:
"TreVeyon Henderson was unable to pick up stream as injuries disrupted his season."
Stream?!
February 8th, 2023 at 9:27 AM ^
"TreVeyon Henderson was unable to pick up stream"
He should probably get his prostate checked.
February 8th, 2023 at 9:34 AM ^
I thought it meant he had bad wifi and his Netflix reception sucked.
February 8th, 2023 at 9:51 AM ^
Can't Henderson afford to pay for his own damn password?
February 8th, 2023 at 10:00 AM ^
Maybe the NIL funds aren't so great in columbus when you get crushed by "TTUN" 2 straight years!
February 8th, 2023 at 4:03 PM ^
He doesn't have a going problem. He has a growing problem.
February 8th, 2023 at 8:34 AM ^
Soooooo many options. Man...this is crazy.
I have to say I am equally as intrigued by who will raise up to be #3. It sounds silly, but there is one heck of an opportunity for a #3 to rise up and get a decent amount of touches and set themselves up to be the start for 2024. That battle for RB3 is going to be crazy.
February 8th, 2023 at 8:39 AM ^
Blake is the real deal - a difference maker - a guy that can win a tight game for us because he can’t be stopped.
Donavan not so much. A very good running back who is great catching the ball out of the backfield. He goes down to easy and to often seems to run soft for a guy his size. His vision is also not top tier.
According to this article we have the best 1-2 punch at the running back position. I’m not convinced of that thus far. I’d be happy to be proven wrong next season. At this point however I don’t think DE will be a top 5 RB when the 2023 season concludes. He’ll have to become more dynamic for that to take place.
Cabana is coming folks.
Corum however is as good as advertised. I hope he returns to 100%.
February 8th, 2023 at 8:48 AM ^
I somewhat agree. My main take on Donovan is that he is not built to be an every down back, at least not as of last season. But he is so lethal because he CAN run it and has good ball security and can take it to the house on any play. And he is arguably the best WR on the team.
But I submit that the combination of DE and BC in the back field is the top tandem in all of college football. Combine that with the OL we'll have for next season and JJ improvement in year 3 and it has the makings of an all-time best Michigan offense.
February 8th, 2023 at 12:34 PM ^
I think it's pretty clear Michigan has the best RB tandem in football heading into 2023. However, I can't help but think that the 2021 tandem of Corum and Haskins was even better due to how well they complemented each other. Crazy to think that they have the best tandem in football but still not as good as two years ago (potentially).
BTW.....I'm in Durham now, too. Working in RTP. It's a beautiful 70 degree day in North Carolina!
February 8th, 2023 at 1:35 PM ^
For sure, last year's version of Blake Corum with senior year Haskins would've been epic, if I am allowed to just pick and choose like that.
Yeah, the last few days have been nice. I work from home in Durham (for a company just outside of RTP) but just last week we have been asked (forced) to be onsite Tuesday through Thursday. Mondays and Fridays are hybrid days. I was none too happy about the return to the office.
February 8th, 2023 at 8:48 AM ^
What drugs you on?
February 8th, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
Username almost checks out. Just one D missing.
February 8th, 2023 at 8:51 AM ^
You'd probably have higher opinion of Edwards if you didn't witness Corum's insane instincts and vision.
February 8th, 2023 at 8:56 AM ^
Let's keep in mind that Donovan is still 19 years old and 2 years and 3 months younger than Blake. He could add a lot of strength this summer like Blake did last year. I think you might be very surprised this fall.
February 8th, 2023 at 8:59 AM ^
Not sure if he goes down too easy so much as he tends to get hit really hard.. or maybe its both. he seems to lack the elusiveness near the line of scrimmage, especially behind the line. its not a knock on him as a great RB, but that's not his thing. Corum turns -2 yards into a 4 yard gain. he does not. but, he has top end finishing speed and is more elusive as a galloping runner than corum.. he changes direction really well.. that hesitation move he put on the osu db on the first long TD was so subtle... but showed how confident he is in his speed. one slight hitch and the db paused.. and he was gone, despite the db having the angle.
i would like to see them all stay healthy though.. with the goal of another b10 title and a playoff run again. please stop throwing corum at brick walls. lets find another bowling ball to use.
February 8th, 2023 at 1:44 PM ^
His change of direction and quick twitch cuts in the open field are unmatched - even for Corum.
February 8th, 2023 at 9:01 AM ^
Edwards runs "soft"? Huh? I have the impression that the coaches have had to work with him to dial back his inclination to lay the wood to defenders.
Maybe you're just basing that on the end of the season, when he was carrying the ball exclusively in his off hand, couldn't cover effectively with the other, and as a result was extra focused on ball security to the point of going down on occasion when could have conceivably fought for more?
He ain't soft.
February 8th, 2023 at 9:02 AM ^
I'm not sure who Donavan is but Donovan Edwards took the team to the Conference Championship with one hand. I'll give 247 a pass for placing him where they did.
Two healthy running backs to carry the ball too, imagine!
February 8th, 2023 at 9:35 AM ^
"He goes down to easy" "Cabana is coming folks"
LOL clown
February 8th, 2023 at 4:10 PM ^
Yeah, but if you don't count the 6 or 7 guys who couldn't tackle him that was a pretty soft run. I mean, he even had that cast to help with his inertia.
February 8th, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^
Found Cole Cabana’s burner account
February 8th, 2023 at 10:17 AM ^
This is one of the worst takes - ever. Trash DE, but Cabana is coming folks? LOL. You cannot evaluate running backs worth a shit sir. And DE is a fucking tough ass runner.
February 8th, 2023 at 10:32 AM ^
Ooof!! I suggest you go back and revisit his carries in the Big Ten CG.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:46 AM ^
Huh? Did you see that TD run in the B1G title game, when defenders were falling off of him?!
February 8th, 2023 at 3:37 PM ^
wow you are both
a downer
and
wrong
February 8th, 2023 at 8:49 AM ^
Looking forward to seeing them together throughout this season. I believe the nickname may be… Lightning and Lightning.
My fingers are crossed that there’s a bit of thunder in the position group too.
Go Blue!
February 8th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^
Can we just call the AC and DC and get them their theme song already?
February 8th, 2023 at 10:15 AM ^
Eric, a song for them could be perfect - something for the DJ to add to his playlist…
February 8th, 2023 at 11:34 AM ^
More like BC/DC
February 8th, 2023 at 9:00 AM ^
I think Corum has built himself into more of thunder back, but I'm not complaining
February 8th, 2023 at 10:14 AM ^
WCB, not quite as “thunderous”, perhaps, as Haskins. But, oh my - Blake can certainly grind, find his way through a very narrow hole, and pick up a few yards whenever he touches the ball.
February 8th, 2023 at 8:56 AM ^
sucks he fell 9 yards short of 1000
February 8th, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
not if you add in that extra 140 yards, he didn't
February 8th, 2023 at 8:59 AM ^
Will be interesting to see what kinds of looks we can give teams with these two. Would love to see Edwards get some slot time or some plays that make teams choose to commit to one or the other. That is a hell of a lot of talent in the backfield.