Although he saw plenty of action in 2016, junior running back Karan Higdon’s 425 rushing yards were third on the team, behind the now-departed De’Veon Smith and sophomore Chris Evans.
However, Higdon said he’s a different runner now, having changed his body in the offseason.
“I’m more powerful and balanced now,” he said. “I’m just faster and stronger and all-around more improved. I had a great offseason, and it showed on Saturday.”
So where does he think he has improved the most?
“My leg strength,” he revealed. “Last year I couldn’t do very much in terms of leg lifts, because I was dealing with some things. The coaching staff really pushed me and helped me overcome it though.”
Although he didn’t specify what exactly hindered him last season, Higdon said it affected his performance in 2016.
“Things lingered through the season last year,” he revealed. “I was able to jump some hurdles and still produce, but not to my full extent. I was finally healthy by this past spring.”
Higdon certainly looked healthy in Saturday’s win over Florida, breaking several tackles in the second half and making numerous Gators miss.
Hailing from Sarasota, Fla., the junior said Saturday’s win was a little more special for the Wolverines who hail from the Sunshine State.
“It was very big for the Florida guys,” he said. “A lot of the guys on the team are from there. To represent Florida all the way from Michigan was great, and to win the game was big for us. A lot of my family came and watched the game, and we just appreciated playing on such a big stage.”
Unfortunately, the state of Florida is currently dealing with severe hurricanes, and Sarasota is located in the southwest portion of Florida.
“My family is worried about it, but they’re prepared,” he said. “We’ve faced hurricanes before, so this will just be another building block. I’m praying they’ll be alright, but if not, I’ll do what I can to help.”
Having dealt with much bigger issues than football throughout his life, Higdon admitted not much rattles him.
For example, when the defense gets the better of Michigan’s offense in practice, the junior said it doesn’t concern him.
“It doesn’t worry me,” he said. “We compete at a high level here at Michigan, so going back and forth is what makes us great and separates us from other teams. All it means is that we have to get back to the drawing board.”
One of Higdon’s fellow running back teammates, fifth-year senior Ty Isaac, went “back to the drawing board” in a big way this past offseason.
“I started seeing a difference in Ty in the offseason when he was asked to shave some weight,” Higdon explained. “ Some guys will take that as the coach talking down to them, but he embraced it and did what was asked of him. He has a different attitude, and he wants to ‘go get it.’ ”
The attitude and mindset of players like the aforementioned Isaac and Higdon are what makes this Michigan team so confident. They feel like they can overcome anything — even a hurricane, in Higdon’s case.
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