HERO Sports is counting down the days until the kickoff of the 2018 college football season on Saturday, Aug. 25, by featuring the best player in the FBS at each jersey number, from 99-1. Each day, from May 18 through Aug. 24, we'll publish one article showcasing the best player whose jersey number matches the number of days remaining.
No. 22 Karan Higdon and David Long
Michigan – RB, CB
Picking between two All-America-caliber teammates felt stupid; Karan Higdon and David Long will share the honor as the co-best No. 22 in college football.
Higdon was an All-Big Ten Third-Team selection and named the Wolverines' 2017 Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 994 yards on only 164 carries. He posted a second straight season with a yards-per-carry average of 5.9 or better (5.9 in 2016, 6.1 in 2017). He was one of the most elusive running backs in the country, according to Pro Football Focus.
Long, meanwhile, was one of several Michigan players who assumed bigger roles last year following mass departures on the defense, including corners Channing Stribling and Jourdan Lewis. And Long delivered, allowing the fewest yards per snap in coverage and lowest passer rating when targeted among 2019 draft-eligible players.
