Higdon Chases Dream at NFL Combine
3/1/2019 10:08:00 AM | Football, Features
• Wolverines at 2019 NFL Combine
By Chad Shepard
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Karan Higdon has been dreaming about this weekend since he was a small child.
Well, not this weekend, specifically, but everything it puts within his reach. Higdon's attendance at the NFL Combine brings him one step closer to making his childhood aspirations of playing in the league a reality. He said he called his parents upon receiving his official invitation and was emotional as he arrived in Indianapolis earlier this week.
"Getting off the plane, it really doesn't hit you when you see the decorations and some of the banners," he said.
"It first hit me when I was unpacking my bags. Trying on all the gear, I teared up. This is something I've been working at since I was five years old. It's been a pure blessing and a long time coming."
Higdon was back to a relaxed state while meeting with the media on Thursday afternoon (Feb. 28). He matched his Combine sweatsuit with a fresh haircut and the ear-to-ear smile University of Michigan football fans have grown accustomed to seeing on his face. He spoke about the importance of carrying himself with confidence, an intangible edge as subtle as his freshly-trimmed hairline.
"It's very important, very important," said Higdon. "You want to run good, lift good? You've got to look good."
Higdon looked really, really good in the winged helmet this past season. He cemented himself as a Michigan back to remember with a 1,000-yard rushing campaign and 10 touchdowns. He registered 100 yards rushing or more in eight games (including seven straight) and was honored as a Doak Walker Award semifinalist. Higdon finished his time in Ann Arbor among the program's top 15 all-time in rushing and rushing touchdowns with 2,616 total yards (14th) and 27 career scores (13th).
He's been preparing for the draft in Miami with Pete Bommarito, who has trained elite athletes in a number of sports and whose clients include numerous NFL Pro Bowlers. Higdon says he spends "about eight hours a day getting after it and competing with some great guys."
Higdon has also rubbed elbows with top-notch athletes in other sports, including MLB superstar Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers. Higdon says that encounter has only stoked his competitive fire to be among the league's best in his own sport.
"He's a pure legend -- one of the top baseball players in the world," Higdon said of Cabrera. "Seeing how he works, how he moves, and what he does to stay at that high-caliber level motivates me. It makes me that much hungrier."
Higdon knows what he does on the field in Friday's workouts will be important. He also knows that he stands firmly behind what he's already put forth on tape, and he believes he can impress in the interview process. It's not any individual element of his game, but the whole package, that will be enticing to pro scouts and organizations.
"I think I'm a special talent," he said.
"I showcased that this past year. I improved each and every year I was at the University of Michigan, and I've shown results. I have great vision, speed, power, determination, versatility, and I'm ready to compete."
"I want [teams] to know that I'm a competitor. Everything they see on tape is real, and I can be an every-down back in the National Football League. I can run fast, lift heavy -- I can do all things asked of me. I have to continue attacking each day with a high level of intensity and ultimately work my way to come out on top."
Higdon was asked what teams like about his game and what teams may be surprised by during his Friday workout.
"They like my burst and the way I navigate through holes," he said. "(At Michigan) I turned four-, five-yard gains into six-, 10-, 50-yard gains. I showed that I can compete, I can play big, and I can play anywhere.
"And I think I can surprise with my strength, speed and catching out of the backfield. Those are question marks I can answer, and I'm looking forward to it."
Higdon is not turned off by the idea of proving himself. The word "compete" was peppered throughout his responses, which reflects a mindset the Florida native has had since he joined the U-M program. It is one that coach Jim Harbaugh fosters in the Michigan locker room, and Higdon credited the way Harbaugh organizes his program with making his transition into a professional career a smooth one to this point.
"Coach Harbaugh did a great job," he said. "The way he structured everything, from day one when you walk in as a freshman to that last day you walk out as a senior, it's absolutely everything you should expect going into this (Combine) process. It's made this process such a breeze."
His message to teams is simple: all he needs is a chance, and he's going to run with it.
2019 NFL Combine Schedule
Thursday-Monday, Feb. 28–March 4
Lucas Oil Stadium • Indianapolis, Ind.
Live coverage on NFL Network
Michigan Participants: Karan Higdon, Zach Gentry, Rashan Gary, Chase Winovich, Devin Bush, David Long
Karan Higdon, RB08
Thursday:Â Bench Press (4 p.m)
Friday: Vertical Jump (noon), 40-yard Dash (1 p.m.), Position Drills (2 p.m.), Broad Jump (3 p.m.)
Zach Gentry, TE05
Friday: Bench Press (4 p.m.)
Saturday: 40-yard Dash (10 a.m.), Position Drills (10:30 a.m.), Vertical and Broad Jump (11:30 a.m.)
Devin Bush, LB09
Saturday: Bench Press (2 p.m.)
Sunday: Vertical Jump (12:30 p.m.), 40-yard Dash (1 p.m.), Position Drills (2 p.m.), Broad Jump (3 p.m.)
Rashan Gary, DL37
Saturday: Bench Press (3 p.m.)
Sunday: 40-yard Dash (11 a.m.), Position Drills (noon), Vertical and Broad Jump (1 p.m.)
Chase Winovich, DL52
Saturday: Bench Press (3 p.m.)
Sunday: 40-yard Dash (11 a.m.), Position Drills (noon), Vertical and Broad Jump (1 p.m.)
David Long, DB22
Sunday: Bench Press (2 p.m.)
Monday: 40-yard Dash (9 a.m.), Position Drills (10 a.m.), Vertical and Broad Jump (11 a.m.)
