Jay Higgins could have left for the NFL last year. He would have been drafted. And with his talent combined with his work ethic, odds are pretty high that he would be playing a lot on Sundays.
Instead, he came back to the Iowa Hawkeyes to continue his dominance in the collegiate ranks and be the heart and soul of Phil Parker’s defense as the prototypical stout middle linebacker.
Not only does Higgins take care of business in the run game, where he cleans up tackles better than anyone in the country, but he has shown serious improvement in the passing game with more athleticism and pre-snap knowledge than before.
His play so far in 2024 hasn’t gone unnoticed. He is currently graded as the best linebacker in college football per Pro Football Focus.
Highest Graded Linebacker This Season:
🟡 Jay Higgins, Iowa: 90.9@HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/ieY7nBp5oi
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 3, 2024
Through four games this season, Higgins has registered 34 tackles, two interceptions, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble providing evidence of his ability to do it all.
During Jay Higgins’ career with Iowa, he has appeared in 49 games with 20 starts to his name. He has tallied 251 career tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions, nine pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.
His next test, which may be his hardest yet, comes against the Ohio State Buckeyes and their offensive loaded with firepower. Iowa kicks off against Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 5 in Columbus, Ohio at 2:30 p.m. on CBS.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Riley on Twitter:Â @rileydonald7