Jul 31, 2026; Westchester California USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (24) wears a Guardian helmet cap at training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Blake Corum Offseason Change

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Parrish Jr. | Last updated Aug 7, 2026 4:00 PM ET

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Heading into his second offseason as a pro, Blake Corum made a change.

He'd already shown flashes of an elite No. 2 running back, but with a bigger role in reach, Corum overhauled his offseason regimen. That included cutting sugar from his diet, something most athletes struggle with; starting workouts at 3 a.m.; and bringing a new mindset to every session at Team Ascension Sports Academy in Virginia, all geared toward sharpening his burst.

It didn't take long for the videos to go viral. One showed the running back driving forcefully off one leg while a resistance band, anchored to a squat rack, pulled against the movement. Another captured him exploding off the front leg from a lunge position, a dumbbell in each hand.

The drills didn't look easy — nowhere close to a fun activity. But they showed a commitment to growth that caught the eyes of Rams coaches and teammates, both on social media and through training camp. The difference in how Corum changes direction, bursts through gaps and powers off hits from defenders is clear.

"I did see a couple of those videos," McVay said, "and they look cool as s---. It's impressive. I want to see him make people miss like that in the hole."

Kyren Williams can see the change

Jul 29, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs with the ball during training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

"He's a lot leaner," lead running back Kyren Williams said. "He looks a lot more explosive."

Williams worked on his own explosiveness last offseason, a process that helped produce his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season — 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025. Corum, in a bigger role, added nearly 750 yards and six touchdowns.

Together, Williams and Corum form the NFL's top rushing duo and carry major weight in McVay's star-studded offense, which led the league in total yards last season. Their two-man attack also lifts the passing game, forcing defenses to prepare for multiple run styles and limiting how much they can lean on any one tendency.

Now, entering Year 3 with a potential breakout season ahead, Corum's growth could make the Rams' offense even harder to defend — one more problem for coordinators already keying on Williams, and a direct result of his offseason overhaul.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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