Karan Higdon Highlight Tape.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:47 AM ^
More like, he's Mike Hart, but knows how to break a tackle.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:44 AM ^
Caveat: untrained eye here. I think his first cut reminds me of Hart, but he hasn't shown that feet-churning-carry-five-defenders-refusing-to-go-down thing Hart showed so frequently.
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^
He doesn't have that, but he does have the thing Emmitt Smith had, where he's just barely slippery enough that no defender ever gets a square shot at him, so he ends up bouncing forward for an extra yard or two per run.
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:48 PM ^
Similar styles, but Higdon does not move piles like Hart did. If he can add that to his game, look out.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:41 AM ^
I sure wish he'd redshirted as a Freshman.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:57 AM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:08 AM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:45 AM ^
3 Star RB who is outplaying his ranking = GOOD
3 Star RB who is in the mix because higher rated guys are busting = BAD
This seems like a GOOD situation when you look at Higdons work so far, and his competition (mainly Evans). It's not like Evans has regressed. Issac is what he is, and RS Freshman Kareem Walker seems to be pushing from behind. If Hidgon was just a guy, he wouldn't be competing for first team reps. Anyone who can push past the talent above them is obviously a plus in my book.
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:08 AM ^
Because, while rankings are predictive in a general sense, they aren't perfect. Mark Ingram was a 3-star and won the Heisman for Alabama. Mike Hart was a 3-star and is Michigan's all-time leading rusher.
The fact that a 3-star is pushing for RB1 is meaningless. The fact that we're expecting a solid contribution from even the less-heralded members of our recruiting class is a positive.
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:26 AM ^
just saw "fuckstickles" in another thread referring to someone getting blasted to Bolivia. Guessing we both are just missing an inside joke. Well, you and I just get some outside jokes then!
August 22nd, 2017 at 3:59 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:58 AM ^
Karan going to have a BIG season. Let's go!!
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:21 AM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:17 AM ^
So, some people say cucumbers taste better pickled.
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:34 PM ^
I think there is only one person REALLY beating that drum..
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:26 AM ^
Like that he can break some tackles and when he can't, he can often drag the defenders with him for another few yards.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:37 AM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:03 AM ^
Wow I was about to post pretty much the exact same thing. Higdon really seeks out contact and rather than just ducking out of the way when tackled. He will square up and punish defenders before going down. Getting thunder-trucked across the goal line has to be a demoralizing feeling for a DB.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:58 AM ^
Had the pleasure of meeting Karan during one of his visits, really humble young man. Looking forward seeing him break tackles and having a breakout year!
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:18 AM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:28 AM ^
key player. Would be a GREAT way to while away the days between seasons.
August 22nd, 2017 at 2:32 PM ^
On the same youtube page as Higdon there was a link for a 2016 Chris Evans highlights.
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:18 AM ^
Run DownHill 22.
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:31 AM ^
...run strong and have a great year.
Still one of my favorite recruiting stories, thanks for keeping us up to date all these years, MM14!
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:32 AM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:43 PM ^
I'm not too worried about our run-blocking. But, because I'm not confident in the pass-blocking, I do hope our quick passing and play action games can keep defenses honest and prevent to much box-stacking. If the passing game can just keep defenses honest, I believe this will be our best year for RBs in at least a decade.
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:33 AM ^
he does a lot of things well. Good vision and quick feet. He is very good with his pad level when he takes on contract and his compact build helps him move piles. He also has deceptive speed. Between him, Evans and Issac could all have a great season and really open up our running game.
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:35 PM ^
I have said many times before that I believe that Higdon is the best runner on our roster, and I still believe that. Evans is more elusive and can turn nothing into something. Isaac is definitely bigger, but not in the same league as a runner. But if you're looking for a guy to run a play consistently, Higdon feels like the best option. Decisive, quick, powerful, and he definitely has that Emmit Smith wiggle where he moves just enough to make you miss. To be clear: I don't think he's a better player than Evans--I just like how he sticks to the basics, makes a cut, and accelerates up the field. I guess the comparison might be Evans to Barry and Higdon to Emmitt. I'm not saying either guy is as good as those players, just comparing styles.
We need the RBs to be great this season and use their unique skills because the pass-blocking will probably not be great. That said, I think the run blocking will be much improved. While JBB and Runyan are scary as pass-blockers, they can both maul people in the ground game, and they'll be next to Onwenu, who is going to Hulk Smash some dudes this year. We'll have to rely on quick passes and play action to move the ball through the air consistently.
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:45 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 1:46 PM ^
I agree that great coaches make personnel errors sometimes. I would also concede that Smith's lack of speed prevented the the team from having as many explosive runs as they could have had last year; however, I wouldn't say that the team wasted carries with him.
Smith was easily the best runner when it came to grinding out yards. He hardly ever fumbled (Evans had one more fumble in roughly 100 less carries). Finally, Smith was easily the best pass blocker. I think it was easy to underestimate Smith's value because his major weakness was so obvious (lack of speed) but his strengths (good balance, ball security, pass protection) were less noticeable.
I know Evans and Higdon had far better yards/attempt numbers than Smith, but a lot of those yards were coming in garbage time or for specially designed plays. In my opinion, all the RBs were very similar in their ineffectiveness when the blocking broke down (most RBs will struggle when their OL struggles). Obviously, Evans and Higdon could turn in more explosive plays when holes opened up, but their presence on the field was also a strong cue to the defense to prepare for a running play or some sort of screen-pass/draw play.
I'm honestly astonished at how often those screen passes and draw plays worked when Higdon, Evans, or Isaac were in the game (especially on 3rd and long) because it was very obvious that the coaching staff didn't trust the trio's pass blocking. I only distinctly remember Ohio State stopping the draw play (but this was because they also have very good players and very good coaches).
August 22nd, 2017 at 2:39 PM ^
Shows great vision, good ability to hit the cut back. Definitely tripped up by a few arm tackles, but I can live with that if he's showing the ability to hit the right hole and put himself in position where an arm tackle is the difference between stumbling forward for 8-yards and getting 20+.
On the other hand, yeeeeeesh some of our opponents played zero defense.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:04 PM ^
Still better than Mike Weber.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:04 PM ^
Still better than Mike Weber.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:04 PM ^
Still better than Mike Weber.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:06 PM ^
.......I've been drinking