Why Michigan RB Blake Corum passed on NFL against Jim Harbaugh's advice

University of Michigan running back Blake Corum burst onto the scene in 2022, but a meniscus tear in his left knee in November ended his season prematurely and forced the 22-year-old to make a difficult decision about his future.

In the first of a six-part series for The 33rd Team, Corum disclosed why he ultimately didn’t listen to the advice of head coach Jim Harbaugh to enter the NFL Draft but instead return to school for his senior season in 2023.

“It’s a once-in-a-life opportunity, and I’m like, ‘I’m going,’” Corum recalled. “But then in the back of my head it was like, ‘You’re not going to be able to do that combine, you’re not going to be able to show these scouts what you really do. You’ve already been doubted, not in terms of your playing ability but your size, you’re not tall.’ They’re going to judge me off of my film. Are they going to think I’m slow if I don’t have a 40 (time)? Am I not going to be able to prove myself and get drafted as high as possible? I had to go with my gut.”

The decision to put off the NFL for one more year was not one Corum took lightly. After learning he was looking at a six-month recovery following knee surgery, he wanted a second opinion. He got more than a few.

He spoke with team doctors from the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams, and they were all in agreement that Corum should have the surgery, go through rehab, and take care of his knee the right way.

After agonizing over the decision, Corum took the advice of the medical professionals and announced in January he was spurning the draft and returning to school — a decision he felt much better about the more he put things into perspective.