Former Michigan star Blake Corum could be switching one coach Harbaugh for another if his hometown Baltimore Ravens select him in next month’s NFL Draft.
As everyone knows, the Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh to be their next coach days after Michigan won the national title. He was the splashiest hire in the NFL off season. But his big brother, John Harbaugh, already is one of the best known coaches in the NFL. John coaches the Ravens, the team that was the top seed in the AFC, but lost to the Chiefs, the eventual Super Bowl winners, in the AFC title game.
Plus, there is the whole hometown connection. We’ll let Corum tell that story.
“I went to St. Francis Academy in Baltimore, so, you know, the Ravens aren’t too far from the East Chase Street,” Corum told reporters, Friday, during his media session at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
Corum continued to gush over John Harbaugh and the thought of returning to his hometown.
“It would be great, you know,” Corum said describing the Harbaughs, Chargers and Ravens. “You best believe they’re probably similar in ways. Just great people, down to earth, good coaches, players coaches. So, if I get the chance to play for Coach John Harbaugh, that’d be great.”
But, are the Ravens looking for a back like Corum in the NFL Draft? Baltimore has three backs who are pending free agents — Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins and Dalvin Cook. They still have Justice Hill.
There probably will not be a running back selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. In fact, it would be a huge surprise if one went that early. Former Texas star Jonathon Brooks is the top running back prospect, but he may be a late second rounder, if that. Most draft analysts believe Corum is among the best five running backs available in the draft. But NFL teams do not covet a back like they used to do.
Meanwhile, might Jim Harbaugh select Corum? Like the Ravens, the Chargers have several running backs who are pending free agents, including Austin Ekeler. No one would fuss if Harbaugh selected a Michigan player. After all, there are a record 18 at the combine.
And it is likely that the Chargers or Ravens would love a back like Corum. All he did in college was score touchdown after touchdown. He finished his career as the Wolverine’s all-time career leader in rushing touchdowns (58) and total touchdowns (61). As a senior, he rushed for 27 touchdowns. That is always a plus.
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