Blake Corum came back for this moment. And, the star running back for Michigan said it best after the national championship win: “Business is finished!”

The business Corum referred to is the national title for the Wolverines, the first for the program since 1997. But, make no mistake about it, Corum finalized some other “business” in the CFP National Championship Game.

Corum solidified his legacy as the “GOAT” in Ann Arbor.

To be fair, Corum has received his due from coach Jim Harbaugh and his teammates throughout his career. Harbaugh even admitted he told the running back to go to the NFL Draft despite a season-ending injury at the end of the 2022 season.

Still, a lot of the attention this season has been placed on quarterback JJ McCarthy and Harbaugh’s perception of the QB as the greatest in Michigan’s history. McCarthy’s legacy in that regard is still up for debate, but there’s zero discussion to be had about Corum’s spot in program lore.

No player meant more to Michigan’s 3-year resurgence and national title than Corum. It all culminated with one final legacy-defining moment Monday night with Corum putting an exclamation point on the game after Donovan Edwards’ explosive start.

On his 4th carry of the night, Corum broke free for a huge 59-yard gain against Washington. That run punctuated Michigan’s dominant first quarter after a pair of early touchdowns for Edwards.

Corum did not score on that carry, but he delivered when it mattered. With 7 minutes left in the game and Michigan clinging to a 20-13 lead, Corum delivered his first touchdown of the night, complete with a cutback and strong broken tackle on the edge.

Corum captured Offensive MVP honors with 134 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry. On the biggest stage, Corum produced the first 100-yard rushing performance in a title game since Clyde Edwards-Helaire in LSU’s win to end the 2019 season.

To find a rushing performance better than Corum’s in the title game, you would have to go back to Derrick Henry rushing for 158 yards and 3 touchdowns in Alabama’s win against Clemson to end the 2015 season. However, it’s worth noting Henry carried the ball 36 times in that game to Corum’s 21 carries vs. Washington.

And to anyone who might push back on Corum’s status as the GOAT in Michigan’s program, all it takes is listening to his coaches gush about the running back’s leadership and performance. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore said Corum undoubtedly is “one of the most special players, period, doesn’t matter position, I’ve ever been around.

“He’s a legend in Michigan football history. Gotta be one of the best players I’ve ever been around.”

The fact that Moore specifically referenced Corum’s legacy regardless of position is notable, especially for Moore’s elite offensive line and stint in Ann Arbor. And of course, from the mouth Harbaugh, players — or people — “don’t come any better” than Corum.

“There wasn’t one person who didn’t have something great to say about Blake Corum during the recruiting process,” Harbaugh said during Tuesday’s victory press conference. “Everybody we came in contact with — go back to the grade school coaches. … Everybody. And to get to see it with your own eyes. Man, they don’t come any better. This is as good as they come.”

To his credit, Corum downplayed any sort of legacy Tuesday morning. He said he simply wants to be remembered as “a Michigan Man” after everything he’s been through.

“Someone who did good on the field but also did good in the community and in the classroom. Laid a foundation for the next generation,” Corum said. “When I pass away, I honestly don’t want to be remembered for the touchdown record or anything like that but more so just the kind human being that brought smiles to people’s faces, and just made a difference. Made an impact on and off the field. That’s honestly how I want to be remembered.”

That’s a noble aim for Corum. And he will be remembered for those endeavors. Whether it was the impressive turnout for his local toy drive in December or his use of NIL funds to donate Thanksgiving dinners to families in need, Corum leaves the legacy of a generous community member in Ann Arbor.

And that is part of the puzzle that makes Corum a true GOAT for the program because he will be remembered as an elite human being off the field. But fans will also — rightly — remember his program-record 58 rushing TDs and game-breaking plays in the Big House.

Corum is the total package program legend. A Michigan Man. An all-time record holder. The king of rushing touchdowns for the Wolverines. And now, he’s a national champion and the GOAT for the Wolverines.