Kornacki: Medicine Higdon's Path to Michigan
11/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 11, 2016
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- When it comes to hitting the hole on a running play, University of Michigan football coaches say sophomore tailback Karan Higdon is one of the best.
He makes that decision with certainty and executes it with precision.
Deciding between the Wolverines and the University of Iowa on national signing day in February 2014 was an entirely different matter, though. It was a much bigger decision than any one play, and Higdon was perplexed, to say the least.
His decision went down to the wire at Sarasota (Florida) Riverview High, where letters of intent from both schools lay before him.
"When I was at the table on signing day," said Higdon, "that's when I made that decision. It wasn't a clear-cut decision, and no one knew what I was choosing. I didn't even know what I was choosing, but I went with my instincts.
"I was sick to my stomach (that morning). I was hurting, and I didn't even want to go to signing day. I didn't even know if I was going to sign on signing day because it was such a close call. The Iowa coaching staff is great, and Iowa's a great place. But Michigan is Michigan, and I went with that."
Higdon would've been running for the Hawkeyes (5-4) when the No. 2 Wolverines (9-0) visit Iowa City Saturday night (Nov. 12) if Jim Harbaugh hadn't been hired as the head coach five weeks before that signing day. He flipped Higdon at the last possible instant, and his pitch Karan and his parents about studying medicine at Michigan played an important role.
"Harbaugh approached me when he got here," said Higdon, who is studying to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. "I'd heard about Michigan, but Michigan was never on my (radar). It was really me just looking at life after football. Football is not a promising game. You never know when your last snap or play is going to be. So, you've got to think about the things that will build you as a person versus building you as a player.
"Michigan has a great degree and is the No. 1 public school. So, to be the best you've got to be with the best. So, I just went to Michigan to realize 'The Leaders and Best.'"
Higdon also sees himself as a perfect fit for the Wolverines' pro-style attack with an emphasis on power running.
He runs with both flash and substance.
Higdon does something on nearly every carry that catches your eye. He's hard to corral and difficult to bring down. He might be only 5-foot-10 and 189 pounds, but his strength and balance are those of a bigger back.
However, it's Higdon's speed, vision and timing that set him apart. It enables him to utilize blocks perhaps better than any of the four tailbacks who rotate while giving the Wolverines a combined 1,842 yards and 21 touchdowns at the position.
"Karan does a good job, maybe the best job, of hitting the hole," said Harbaugh. "He hits it downhill very fast."
Offensive coordinator Tim Drevno agreed: "Karan hits it (the hole) and then once he sees something, he's, 'Bam!' He takes the hole. He's got very good quick twitch and very good vision, which is nice. When things are maybe closed up in there, he can make that one cut. He sees it very quickly."
Higdon, one of four 400-yard rushers along with senior De'Veon Smith (564 yards), freshman Chris Evans (456) and junior Ty Isaac (404), has 58 carries for 418 yards (third in both categories). However, he's second among tailbacks with 7.2 yards per carry, 52.2 yards per game and six touchdowns rushing.
Higdon gained 19 yards on 11 carries as a freshman but has taken on a significant role this season.
"It's been tremendous getting in there in critical situations," said Higdon, who has 100-yard rushing efforts against Rutgers and Illinois. "Knowing the coaches believe and trust in you is a good [feeling]. I just have to continue to build and build on that."
He's developed a sense of timing with blockers.
"It's a lot of trust -- especially since defenses do a lot of different things with blitzes and stunts," said Higdon. "So, you've got to trust the linemen to recognize those blitzes and pick them up, and you can't think twice. You've got to follow your keys and roll with it."
That ties into the area of his game where he feels he's made the most improvement this season.
"I'm a little more patient," said Higdon. "I can be very quick at times, but sometimes I can out-run my linemen. So, knowing that I have that ability, I have to slow down and let things open up versus trying to make those things open up. I've definitely gotten better at that."
He said scoring is the only thing on his mind each play, adding that he can't get caught from behind.
Higdon's favorite NFL tailback is Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, and he patterned his style after the seven-time Pro Bowl pick and 2012 NFL MVP.
"I've watched him since I was a kid," said Higdon.
Football and medicine both attracted him when he was very young. He began playing organized football in kindergarten, and medicine first appealed to him in second grade.
"I want to be a nurse anesthetist," said Higdon. "I want to go into nursing and give back to people. I've always cared about being around people and helping people out in any kind of way. I've known since I was like seven years old that I wanted to be in the medical field, and just recently I learned about being a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), and it got my interest."
He visits the University of Michigan's Mott Children's Hospital with teammates.
"In the foreseeable future," Higdon said, "I'd like to get up there a lot more."
The football and medical field pursuits are working out well for him.
"I'm a firm believer that I live with no regrets," said Higdon. "If I make a decision, I'm going to make it and live with it. I'm extremely happy to be here and to be a part of the Go Blue Nation."
What will it be like to play against the Hawkeyes?
"Going into Kinnick Stadium is going to be like a homecoming," said Higdon, who began laughing at that thought. "It's a great stadium and a great atmosphere, and so returning there will be pretty cool."
His mind's made up on that, too.
