As a rookie, Blake Corum was playing extra baggage.
As a rookie, Blake Corum was playing extra baggage.
A third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams’ running back said he tried to be perfect with every carry. With just a few touches a game, Corum was not playing as loosely as he wanted.
But in his second year, Corum has thrived with the Rams as he worked hard in the offseason while cutting a few pounds, turning into a dynamic complementary piece to the not-so-long-ago workhorse-rusher, Kyren Williams.
“(I’m) a lot more confident (and I) put a lot of work in in the offseason,” Corum said of his second-season mentality. “Really, just being consistent every day, trying to get better, seeing where I can get better, being really hard on myself, being coachable with my coaches (and) I've been able to show them on Sunday.”
In the past two weeks, Corum has set and broken his career-high single-game rushing yardage, most recently rushing for 128 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Putting the final touches on the most recent blowout victory, Corum broke loose for a 48-yard score. He was untouched on the run as he cut away from a crowd of defenders into a wide open gap before flying past the remaining defensive backs caught on their back heels.
Corum, once a more stocky, 212-pound back, might not have cut that run back agilely enough or burst beyond the final Cardinals defenders in the past. But the refined version of him, at 205 pounds, did, easily.
“The more reps I got provided me with even more confidence, even though every rep hasn't been great this year,” he said. “I've made mistakes, but I learned from those … When you have a group of guys around you like how I do with this team, with these coaches, it's hard not to get better.”
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (22) rushes the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium.
Corum said he wanted to drop the weight to return to the same size he was during his junior season at Michigan, when he rushed for almost 1,500 yards. He called it his “best year.”
It paid off quickly as Corum surpassed his rookie-year yardage total of 207 within a few contests and has become increasingly involved in the offense.
“I’m really happy for him,” coach Sean McVay said of Corum. “He provides an explosive element. He's really tough in protection, doing a great job in the pass game. I think he and Kyren (Williams) have been excellent complements of one another. I think the more that he plays, the more confidence he’s earning.”
With Corum on a four-year rookie deal and Williams signing a three-year extension in August, the Rams appear to have set up a dynamic running duo for the foreseeable future. Both backs rank among the top five for expected points added, an advanced statistic that measures how much a player improves their team’s likelihood of scoring, at their position, according to Sūmer Sports.
Combined, Corum and Williams have added 23.94 expected points, and the only running backs ahead of them are Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Taylor, Miami Dolphins’ De’Von Achane and Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs — all players widely considered the cream of the crop. Per rush, Corum leads all of them.
"I think (Corum) being able to come in, spell me, allows me to see the game from a different lens, see the game from a different perspective and... get my breath back whenever those long runs are needed," Williams said to TheRams.com earlier this year.
Williams, gaining 1.9 yards per carry after contact, is somewhat more of a bruiser compared to Corum, who has logged 1.7 yards per rush after being touched. But the latter has provided complementary combustive moments.
Corum’s explosive run rate of 14.85% is the highest of any running back with more than 35 carries, while Williams’ 6.12% is a middling number. He also has as many 10-plus yard runs as Corum (20) despite having about half the touches.
“They positively push one another,” McVay said. “They're so supportive. They enjoy celebrating each other, but then they also want to do their thing when they get their opportunities.”
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium.
At just 25 years old each, Corum and Williams' future is exciting for the Rams. But for now, the team is focused on a Super Bowl as the NFC's top seed.
Meanwhile, Corum is committed to fulfilling his part while utilizing his developed second-year traits.
“(I want to) just (take it) a one day at a time, one game at a time (and) do whatever I can to help this team succeed in all phases,” Corum said. “(I want to) just continue to get better and chase greatness.”
Category: General Sports
