Iowa defensive stars Jay Higgins and Sebastian Castro have been recognized by the Associated Press in the preseason.
Fifth year linebacker Jay Higgins and graduate CASH Sebastian Castro were each named to the AP preseason All-America teams on Monday.
Higgins was selected as a preseason AP first-team defense All-American, while Castro was chosen as a preseason AP second-team defense All-American.
Higgins tied Iowa’s all-time single season tackles mark last season with 171. The 6-foot-2, 232 pound linebacker also added five tackles for loss, five passes defensed, two sacks and one interception.
Castro finished his 2023 season with 67 tackles, 11 passes defensed, eight tackles for loss, three interceptions and one pick-six in Iowa’s 20-13 rivalry win over Iowa State.
It’s the latest bit of preseason pub for each. Higgins was also named a preseason first-team All-American by USA TODAY Sports last week. Both Higgins and Castro earned the nod from ESPN as top 100 players heading into the 2024 season.
Higgins was the nation’s No. 36 player nationally and Castro was the country’s No. 19 player according to ESPN.
Similarly, 247Sports tabbed both Higgins and Castro as top 20 defensive players nationally entering the 2024 campaign.
Higgins is Phil Steele’s preseason national defensive player of the year and a preseason first-team All-American by Phil Steele, Athlon Sports and Walter Camp.
Higgins has been named to the Bronko Nagurski, Chuck Bednarik Award, Butkus Award and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch lists.
Castro is a preseason second-team All-Big Ten choice by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. The Oak Lawn, Ill., product has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award and Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch lists.
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