Blake Corum says he's "50-50" about whether to turn pro or stay in school
December 20th, 2022 at 5:33 PM ^
soyouresayingtheresachance.gif
December 20th, 2022 at 7:11 PM ^
Considering how short an average RB's career is in the NFL, he needs to leave immediately. He can make some money at Michigan for sure, but does it really hold a candle to the pros? Not right asking him to sacrifice his body like that for another season. He's given enough.
December 20th, 2022 at 7:14 PM ^
Depends on how you look at it...if you think he's only going to get one contract, it doesn't matter as much.
And with NIL, he could actually have more after 5 years when he retires from the league.
But that's more "what ifs" than my brain can handle. I'll just wait for him to make a decision and support it either way.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:43 PM ^
Logged in to +1 and say this:
I'll just wait for him to make a decision and support it either way.
...is the correct answer.
December 20th, 2022 at 7:57 PM ^
He doesn't "need" to do any such thing. He needs to do what's best for him in his opinion, and presumably with his family's input.
He could play 2 more years at Michigan (as 2020 didn't count), and if Michigan could possibly get its shit together on NIL he could potentially earn more here than in the NFL.
Along with those short-term earnings he could continue to do the good works he has done with his NIL $; he could win more B10 & God willing ncaa championships, cementing himself as permanently financially viable in the Michigan universe.
He could do all that while hypothetically improving his draft position as well. So what he "needs" to do is assess how important those things are vs starting his NFL career after playing 3 collegiate seasons.
December 20th, 2022 at 8:27 PM ^
I'm not going to lie, I get kind of tired of forum posters saying players "need" to this or that, should go, should stay, etc.. not all of these dudes have the same priorities and they should make whatever decision is best for them, regardless of what MGoBoard posters think.
December 20th, 2022 at 5:33 PM ^
Donors, that would be your cue
December 20th, 2022 at 5:55 PM ^
I have a spleen and a kidney I would part with.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:30 PM ^
Those are worth some cash money!
December 20th, 2022 at 7:50 PM ^
How about a knee?
December 20th, 2022 at 8:01 PM ^
But are these body parts yours?
December 20th, 2022 at 8:30 PM ^
They are now.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:37 PM ^
My liver isn't fit to be donated to a frying pan with onions.
December 20th, 2022 at 7:15 PM ^
Username checks out.
December 20th, 2022 at 5:36 PM ^
True fact: 73.6% of all statistics people cite are made up on the spot. So, there’s only a 26.4% chance Blake’s “50-50” estimate is correct
December 20th, 2022 at 6:13 PM ^
1% of the made up 73.6% group will randomly guess the correct percentage, so I think we’re looking at 27.136%
December 20th, 2022 at 9:07 PM ^
I'm coming up with 32.33%, repeating of course
December 20th, 2022 at 10:39 PM ^
Outstanding reference, bravo.
December 20th, 2022 at 5:40 PM ^
He confirmed it's his meniscus and he's 2 months away.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:42 PM ^
I was holding out hope that he'd make it by January. :(
December 20th, 2022 at 5:46 PM ^
Blake I would selfishly like to have you back, but if your goal is to play in the NFL, enter the draft. Draft stock isn’t going to get any higher and 1 more year in college is that much more wear and tear on your body.
December 20th, 2022 at 5:52 PM ^
There is a distinct chance he could get comparable nil money to his first season NFL check.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:01 PM ^
yes, but, limited years of being an RB. Might want to go to the league, see if he can pop, and sign at least that one bigger contract
December 20th, 2022 at 6:14 PM ^
And while normally he would be better off going to the NFL, the injury creates some new considerations.
Teams could be reluctant to draft him as highly because they can't be sure if he is he can ever get back to his former level of performance. If he plays another year at MIchigan, collects a good level NIL, and proves he is as good or better, it could get him a significantly higher draft position and net him more money.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:51 PM ^
It was a meniscus, not an ACL or Achilles. He’ll be in peak shape for the combine. The NFL isn’t worried about that and he has nothing left to prove.
The odds of him toting the rock 20+ times a game for 15 games next year without another nagging or serious injury is not a risk worth taking when there is literally no benefit other than NIL money.
December 20th, 2022 at 7:50 PM ^
"... no benefit other than NIL money."
It really comes down to how much NIL money now, doesn't it?
I'm not saying it's going to happen, but if someone offers him late first round money (~$12M), he might take it.
Consider these scenarios:
A) $12M NIL + great season at Michigan + healthy = higher draft pick in '24 and more money versus $12M NFL contract where you have to stay healthy for 4 years before getting a shot at a boosted contract. I think staying at Michigan is lower risk.
B) If he gets injured next year, it's a wash whether that happens in the NFL or college: $12M NIL + injury at Michigan = $12M rookie contract + injury in NFL. The risk of injury in 12-15 games at Michigan is less than 17 games in the NFL. Advantage stay at Michigan.
Again, I have no idea if anyone is remotely prepared to pay him $12M for one year of college ball, but anything close to that has to be worth considering.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:56 PM ^
If he’s offered $12M in NIL he should come back. Heck, third round picks make around $1M per year. If he can get >$1M in NIL he should come back.
He’ll be splitting carries with Donovan and playing a couple fewer games than in the NFL, so the wear and tear argument suggests staying at Michigan, IF the NIL is comparable.
December 20th, 2022 at 10:29 PM ^
You can’t make an argument using unconfirmed and completely fictional numbers. A lot of alleged numbers are out there…$12m for a single season is not one of them. But yes, he should come back for $12 million, lol
December 21st, 2022 at 1:40 PM ^
I acknowledged very clearly that I wasn't supposing $12M was realistic. The point is that there absolutely is a number where taking the NIL makes more sense than entering the draft. I used $12M to make it obvious. As others pointed out, guaranteed NFL draft $ drops off very quickly. Add in the fact that RBs are currently not as highly valued as they used to be in the NFL and the NIL number where it makes sense to stay in school might be much, much lower than $12M.
People were dismissing the idea that NIL might be relevant to Corum or other high profile players and that is a mistake.
The bottom line is that this is a math problem along with a bit of risk analysis. There is no answer to the question of "NIL or NFL" that makes any sense unless you factor in the money. As others are pointing out, the math could quite possibly make staying at Michigan the smart move financially.
December 21st, 2022 at 11:53 PM ^
$12M NIL, what are you smoking? You got any extra?
December 20th, 2022 at 6:52 PM ^
Except he’ll have nothing guaranteed after that. There’s a reason NFL players frequently holdout when they have a season or less left on their contract.
December 20th, 2022 at 7:25 PM ^
If he falls to the 4th round he gets very little guaranteed money. If he falls below that he gets none, just the signing bonus and his annual would be much lower than anything he could get with NIL. If he shows up to the combine and measures smaller than people think and maybe his 40 time is so-so he could drop.
I think he'll start in the NFL for at least 5 or 6 years if he gets in the right situation. He could also get in a bad situation where they don't really use his skill set. Anyways, I don't think it's all downside of coming back next year is all I will say. If he can get his draft stock up to a 2nd round pick he'll make so much more money than say a 3rd round pick.
December 20th, 2022 at 5:48 PM ^
Would understand if he went pro. Guy gave it his all.
December 20th, 2022 at 5:48 PM ^
If I were his parent, I'd advise him to go pro...if he is interested in doing so.
RB's are very prone to injuries and also have very short careers.
Plus, he's not likely to improve his draft position with another year in college.
Better to start his career now.
December 20th, 2022 at 5:51 PM ^
So weird. A bunch of comments anticipated mine. We'd love for Blake to be back. At the same time, running backs? YMMV.
Hoping you do what's best for you.
December 20th, 2022 at 5:51 PM ^
He’s got to do what’s best for him. If he wants to stay great but if he wants to go pro that definitely makes sense. Speedy recovery to him and best wishes in whatever he decides.
December 20th, 2022 at 5:52 PM ^
Blake is a different dude and really loves playing ball for Michigan.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:00 PM ^
I hope he makes the best decision for himself and doesn't get swayed by people who don't have his best interests in mind. No matter his choice, he's a great RB and will always be a Michigan Man!
December 20th, 2022 at 6:01 PM ^
Yes- let me know what he needs to make it 51% return to Michigan!
I think he'd have a decent chance of improving his draft stock because the injury has hurt his draft status. If he plays next year with less of a load he could be much healthier at the end of the year, earn NIL, a football Championship, and go higher in the draft. Definitely could work on his catching the ball out of the backfield.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:06 PM ^
Blake, this is your Dad’s burner account. Stay in school, Son. Get that PHD. Play there forever. Also Mom is expecting, quintuplets, all boys with low center of gravity who also want to play for Michigan. Oops did I leave the stove on….(sorry forgot to stop typing)
December 20th, 2022 at 6:10 PM ^
I actually think Blake can easily make rookie rb$ here if he stays, and it would be amazing if he did. That said he gone, he is just being polite here.
December 20th, 2022 at 7:01 PM ^
You're mistaken. He's not being polite, he's genuinely weighing his options. I posted last night on another thread on this board that the belief within the team is that he will return in '23 - but it obviously could go the other way and I kinda hope it does because that would mean he's ready physically for the next level.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:05 PM ^
Yeah, we will see who is mistaken soon enough. Harbaugh is gonna tell him to go if he has not already.
February 16th, 2023 at 4:47 PM ^
Just circled back to see this post ^^^. LOL. I guess we saw who was right and who was mistaken.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:14 PM ^
It's been said on here that coming off his knee procedure that, even though it was relatively minor, he could easily drop into the third or fourth round. Quite a difference between 1-2 round money and 3-4 round money. For running backs, that initial contract is especially important given the risks they face. Also, with Donovan likely carrying a more equal load next season, there might not be as much wear and tear as his knees took this season with his high carry count. Regardless of his choice, he's given his all to this team and certainly has the right to do whatever he feels is in his best interest. Selfishly, I'd love to see him stay, carry us to another CFP again next year and win the Heisman he deserves, but it's likely too much to hope for. All we can do is wish him the best and support him in whatever he decides. He's a true role model, a person the program and all fans will forever be grateful to for all he's given...not just to the school, but to nearby communities in need as well.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:16 PM ^
As much as I would love to see him back next year, I don’t know that his positioning will be any better than it is now.
RBs have limited careers and he’s already suffered this injury. If his dream is to play in the NFL he should probably go.
Either way I’ll be rooting for him next year, either on Saturdays as a Wolverine or on Sundays wherever he lands.
If it is solely about money, hopefully he can get a NIL arrangement.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:24 PM ^
do what you have to do Blake... we will always be a fan