Corum, who returned to Michigan for his senior season in 2023, has given back to the local community on several occasions and has been outspoken about his desire to leave a positive legacy both on and off the football field.

“Over my last four years, I look back and pray I left a legacy. I stamped my mark here. I made a difference both on and off the field,” Corum said after he helped U-M beat Ohio State in November. 

Corum received the Collegiate Social Service Award from Reverend Jesse Jackson last January. During his acceptance speech, Corum said, in part: 

I’m more than an athlete. 

God has blessed me not only with athletic abilities but the ability to give. The ability to put smiles on people’s faces. The ability to make people laugh. That’s what it’s all about. 

Life is about the small things — the smiles, the laughs, the get-togethers. That’s what I believe. 

I was once on ‘Good Morning America.’ When we were talking, I said, ‘Football is my passion. Giving back is my purpose.’ Serving is what I believe God put me on this earth to do. I will continue to serve and bring communities together as long as I’m on this earth. 

Corum is also one of three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award.

In addition to his toy drive, Corum hosts an annual event before Thanksgiving — called Giving Back 2 Give Thanks — in Ypsilanti, Mich. This year, he provided more than 600 Thanksgiving turkey meals to families for the holiday. Corum also has donated backpacks and school supplies to local children and has partnered with the Detroit Police Athletic League and Detroit Rescue Mission Ministry for other charitable events.

On the field, Corum was a Heisman Trophy contender in 2022 and leads the nation in rushing touchdowns this year. He and Michigan face Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

Mike Sainristil discusses how Michigan can slow the Alabama offense

Mike Sainristil has made huge plays for Michigan football, and the Wolverines need another big game from their captain.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Mike Sainrsitil is one of the biggest playmakers in the Michigan secondary, and the Wolverines will lean on their captain again when they face Alabama in the Rose Bowl. 

The Crimson Tide rank 19th nationally in scoring offense, but they have the ability to break a long one at any point in the game. Alabama is fourth in college football in passing plays of 40-plus yards, thanks in no small part to a dynamic QB in Jalen Milroe who can extend plays and receivers — particularly Jermaine Burton — who can threaten downfield. 

Mike Sainristil spoke with reporters this week about what Michigan must do to slow Alabama. Here’s what he said: 

On Alabama’s deep passing game threat: 

They’ll run the same play a lot of different ways. They find different ways to get to it. They’ll find ways to have you think that they’re in a balanced set formation, and then they’ll slow the tempo down. And then they’ll have a guy step off the ball — do it while you’re looking at your sideline. And then next thing you know, the ball is snapped. The next thing you know, the ball is over your head. It’s like, ‘Wait, what just happened?’ But they have dynamic receivers, a really good quarterback as well — can throw the ball probably 70 yards in the air. Their receivers are really good tracking the ball down the field. So it’s a great opportunity for our defense. 

On if the Alabama offense is comparable to any Michigan has faced this year: 

We played very good offenses. We played Maryland, who had a really good quarterback. Really good at getting out to pocket, creating plays, something that’s very similar to Milroe. We played Ohio State, who has really good receivers. Marvin Harrison won the Biletnikoff. So, we’ve definitely had scenarios that have prepared us for a team like Alabama. Being able to take everything that we’ve learned throughout the year, and just put it all together here going into this game is going to be the best thing for our preparation.

On whether the matchup with Marvin Harrison Jr. prepares him for Alabama: 

Not really. They do different things offensively and schematically. 

I would just say being able to take my experience of playing against a very good NFL top-five, probably, pick going into this Draft, type of receiver. I played a good receiver before. But everyone’s good in different ways.

These guys: Bond is probably a 10.2 100-meter track runner. A lot faster than Marvin Harrison, I would say. There’s different things from different guys. But I definitely feel like we’ve all been prepared different ways for this game. 

On how much zone coverages will be useful in keeping eyes on Jalen Milroe: 

It definitely will help. But to some degree, you want to be able to get on those guys, play man coverage, get sticky coverage, and eliminate his options and allow our D line to make plays up front. You have a really good D line. Our D line complements our back end; our back end complements our front end. 

So we just have to be able to make sure that regardless, whatever we’re playing — zone or man — that everyone’s doing their part of the defense and not trying to do anyone else’s job. We know that they’re going to make plays. That’s a really good offense. It just comes down to who makes the most plays when it’s needed.

On the iconic Rose Bowl stage: 

There’s no bigger moment, no bigger stage than being able to play at the Rose Bowl against a team like Alabama. Two iconic football programs, two teams — their fan base is going to travel well, our fan base is going to travel well. And I’m already calling it a classic football game.