Entering this season, the linebacker position might have been viewed as one of the question marks facing the Iowa Hawkeyes and their defense. That question has been answered and then some this year.
Jay Higgins is the answer. The leader of the Iowa defense has waited for his time to shine and taken full advantage of it. The linebacker leads the team in tackles and is among the best tacklers in America.
His play this year has earned him a spot among the nation’s finest linebackers. Jay Higgins has been named a semifinalist for the Dick Butkus Award. The award is given out annually to the most impactful linebacker in America.
The Butkus Award Semifinalist ➡️ @_jhigg #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/MWZDmEKJOW
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) November 6, 2023
Jay Higgins has been every bit of impactful so far this year. He leads Iowa in tackles with 113 tackles through nine games. He averages 12.6 tackles per game. Higgins is third in the nation in total tackles and second in tackles per game.
Higgins is stepping into his role right on the heels of one of Iowa’s best linebackers they have ever seen in Jack Campbell, last year’s Dick Butkus Award recipient. Higgins is looking to be Iowa’s second Dick Butkus Award winner in as many years.
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: @rileydonald7
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Hawkeyes Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.