Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum has never hesitated to credit his father, James Corum, for shaping both his football journey and his life. Long before he became a national champion at Michigan or reached the NFL, Corum’s love for the game began at home. In The Players’ Tribune, the 25-year-old wrote, “I fell in love with the game because of my dad. That’s why my dad is my dreammate.”

Growing up in Marshall, Virginia, Corum could have looked up to any number of NFL stars. Instead, his greatest role model was the man who introduced him to football in the first place. In fact, when asked about who he wanted to model as a football player, Corum explained how he looked up to his dad.

“I mean, for me, I always looked up to my dad,” the Rams’ back said while speaking to Essentially Sports. “Never got to really see him play, just hear stories. I’m like, my dad’s like a legend around here. Everyone knows him. But I always looked up to my dad.”

James Corum reportedly was a part of the Rams franchise in the 80s. And while he was never able to build a successful football career in the league, James made sure that his son turned his love for football into his professional career. And that’s what Blake Corum did. A DMV native, Corum graduated from Saint Frances Academy before enrolling at Michigan.

He spent four years complementing the Wolverines’ backfield. During that stretch, the back suited up for 45 games, started in 28, and rushed for over 3,500 yards and scored 58 touchdowns, while winning a national championship as a starting running back in 2023. That season, Corum recorded one of the best years of his college football career, when he rushed for 1,245 yards and scored 27 touchdowns.

As that went down, the Rams wasted no time in picking Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft with the 83rd overall pick. And since then, the 25-year-old has managed to impress the Rams’ coaching staff. After a decent rookie season, Corum leaped in his second season in 2025. He rushed for 746 yards and scored 6 touchdowns, as the Rams made the NFL Championship round.

While football ultimately became Blake Corum’s professional career, his father emphasized that his son excelled in every sport he played growing up. When asked when he first realized Blake had the mindset to reach the NFL, James explained that his son possessed a unique skill set from an early age.

“Honestly, he was young,” James added. “I mean, he was different as a young kid, but I’m talking five, six years old playing sports. I mean, he was in every sport: Baseball, football, basketball, and he was always the best.”

In fact, after winning the national championship for the Wolverines and just before the Rams picked him in the 2024 NFL draft, Blake Corum threw the ceremonial first pitch before a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park. Eventually, he went on to become a professional running back in the NFL. And even then, Corum has never forgotten to give credit where it’s due: to his father.

Blake Corum revealed why he chose No. 24 as his new jersey number

Blake Corum has spent a couple of seasons in the NFL with No. 22 on his back. However, after the Rams acquired cornerback Trent McDuffie, who has worn No. 22 throughout his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Corum is giving up his jersey number for the CB. And now, he’s happy to select a new number: No. 24. And when asked the reason behind it, Corum shared an emotional story.

“So there’s a great meaning behind it,” the running back told Stu Jackson of TheRams.com. “My dad (James) wore that his whole life through middle school, high school, (he) didn’t get the chance to go to college, but my dad’s poured everything into me and my sisters, and really just our family in general. And so in 2006 I started playing football, and it’s crazy. I played for the FYF Rams, and I wore 24, and I was 24 my whole life, whether it be baseball, basketball, football, you name it, I was 24.”

During his career at Michigan, Corum wanted to wear 24. At the time, however, Zach Charbonnet had already picked the same number. Fast forward to his rookie season with the Rams, he once again asked for No. 24. This time, meanwhile, Darious Williams had No. 24. As a result, Corum had to settle for No. 22. But now, he’s honoring his father after wearing 24 on his back.

“But it’s to honor my dad,” he added. “I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done for me in my life, getting me to where I am, and the man I am, and so it’s really just to honor him. And then one of my favorite athletes of all time is Kobe Bryant, and I know he wore 8 and 24, but when I watched him, it was 24.”

That said, the 25-year-old is now entering the third season of his NFL career with the Rams. While he certainly took a step forward in 2025, it will be intriguing to see how he performs in 2026, with Los Angeles widely viewed as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.