Tag: Jay Higgins

Three Iowa football players named Sporting News All-Americans

Sporting News tabs three Iowa football stars as 2024 All-Americans.

As the college football regular season has officially come to a close, Sporting News released its end-of-season All-American teams, with three Iowa football stars highlighting the announcement.

In the release, Hawkeyes‘  senior linebacker Jay Higgins, running back Kaleb Johnson, and punt returner Kaden Wetjen were recognized. Higgins and Johnson both were named to the first-team All-American roster, while Wetjen landed on the second-team squad.

As a result of the nominations, Higgins became a unanimous consensus All-American, while Johnson became a consensus All-American.

As for Higgins, the 6-foot-2, 232-pound senior was also honored as the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten.

A semifinalist for the Lombardi, Lott IMPACT, and Butkus awards, Higgins has racked up 118 total tackles this fall, which ranks second most in the Big Ten and 13th-most nationally. He also is the only player in the nation with over 100 tackles and four interceptions (tied for the most amongst linebackers from a Power 4 conference).

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Johnson’s impressive honors include a first-team All-America honoree by Walter Camp, Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News, and second-team by the Associated Press (AP) and American Football Coaches Association of America (AFCA).

The junior running back was also voted Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten, and finalist for the Doak Walker Award. He posted school single-season records in points (138), total touchdowns (23) and rushing scores (21). Johnson (6-foot, 225 pounds) rushed for 1,537 yards in 12 games, sixth-most in the country and third-most in program history.

Regarding Wetjen, the second-team Sporting News honoree was tabbed a first-team All-American punt returner by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and was previously awarded the 2024 Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten, and is a finalist for the Jet Award.

Wetjen, a 5-foot-10, 196-pound senior, is second in the FBS in punt return yards (312) and sixth in kickoff return yards (576) this season, including an 85-yard punt return touchdown against Northwestern.

These honors now provide Iowa with the distinction of being the only school to have a consensus All-American each of the last six seasons.

In program history, the Hawkeyes now have 33 consensus All-Americans, including 18 total in the Kirk Ferentz era and 12 over the last 11 seasons. The Hawkeyes have had multiple consensus All-Americans seven times throughout their illustrious history (1981, 1984, 2002, 2003, 2017, 2023, and 2024).

Iowa will play in the Dec. 30 TransPerfect Music City Bowl vs. No. 19 Missouri in Nashville, Tenn., at 1:30 p.m. CT, with the game televised on ESPN and on the Hawkeyes Radio Network.

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Iowa specialist named as AFCA All-American

Three Iowa football stars were honored with AFCA All-American distinctions.

On Dec. 13, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) revealed their end-of-season All-American rosters, with three Iowa football stars earning recognition.

Per the announcement, seniors Luke Elkin and Jay Higgins landed on the first-team list. At the same time, junior Kaleb Johnson claimed a spot on the second-team roster.

The AFCA is one of five outlets recognized by the NCAA to determine consensus All-Americans, along with the Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp, Sporting News, and Associated Press.

Jay Higgins

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Higgins, the Hawkeyes‘ defensive leader and permanent captain, was also honored as the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten, semifinalist for the Lombardi, Lott IMPACT, and Butkus awards.

Higgins totaled 118 tackles this season, ranking second most in the Big Ten and 13th-most nationally. He also is the only player in the nation with over 100 tackles and four interceptions (tied for the most amongst linebackers from a Power 4 conference).

Luke Elkin

Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Elkin, who has been Iowa’s long snapper the past four seasons, gives the proper appreciation given his impact on the team during his tenure.

In addition to being named as a second-team all-conference honoree last week, he earned the team’s Next Man In Award (special teams) as a freshman, Hayden Fry Award winner as a sophomore and Coaches Appreciation Award as a junior. During his four seasons with Iowa, Elkin snapped for Rhys Dakin, Drew Stevens, and former Hawkeyes legend Tory Taylor.

Kaleb Johnson

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Rounding out the three is Kaleb Johnson, whose historic season earned him honors as a Walter Camp first-team All-American, the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year winner, first-team All-Big Ten selection, and a finalist for the Doak Walker Award.

On the season, he posted school single-season records in points (138), total touchdowns (23), and rushing scores (21), as well as the third-most rushing yards in program history (1,537).

With Johnson declaring for the NFL draft, he will finish his stellar 35-game career (22 starts) with 30 rushing touchdowns and 2,779 yards on 508 rushing attempts for an average of 5.5 yards per carry and 79.4 yards per game. Johnson also recorded 29 receptions for 240 yards and two scores during his tenure.

Iowa (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) will play in the Dec. 30 TransPerfect Music City Bowl vs. No. 19 Missouri (9-3, 5-3 SEC) from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., at 1:30 p.m. (CT). The game will be televised on ESPN and available on the Hawkeyes Radio Network.

Two Iowa Hawkeyes among CBS Sports Top 150 college football players of 2024

Two Hawkeyes are among the elite.

The 2024 Iowa Hawkeyes were buoyed by stars on both sides of the ball, a bit of a contrast to what felt like the norm for prior years.

This season, they ran the ball well on offense and were absolutely stifling against the run game on defense.

That can be credited to running back Kaleb Johnson and linebacker Jay Higgins, both consensus All-Americans this year.

Both now find themselves included in CBS Sports Top 150 college football players of 2024.

Coming in at No. 34 on the list is Kaleb Johnson after his historic season for the Hawkeyes.

34. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

Johnson is an exceptional zone runner with patience, vision, and speed to break away. He rushed for more than 1,500 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, and scored 21 touchdowns despite being the focal point of opposing defenses. His success also highlights the strength of Iowa’s offensive line. – Blake Brockeymeyer, CBS Sports

Kaleb Johnson ran for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns behind Iowa’s much-improved offensive line. He added two more touchdowns and 188 receiving yards.

He set Iowa’s single-season record for rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns.

The second Hawkeye on the list, linebacker Jay Higgins, comes in at No. 68.

68. Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa

Higgins continued his excellent play for Iowa’s stingy defense, finishing the season with 118 tackles and a career-high four interceptions. Known for his instincts and nose for the ball, Higgins has also improved his coverage ability, solidifying his reputation as one of the most consistent defenders in Hawkeye history. – Blake Brockeymeyer, CBS Sports

Jay Higgins did it all for Iowa this year on defense. He had 118 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a sack, and two forced fumbles while also contributing to the pass defense with nine pass deflections and four interceptions

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Jay Higgins is Iowa football’s newest Consensus All-American

Jay Higgins joins an elite and historic club at Iowa being the Hawkeyes’ newest consensus All-American after a strong season.

Few teams recruit and develop better than the Iowa Hawkeyes. Each year it is on display as they reap the rewards of turning an under-recruited talent into one of the best in America.

This year, that individual is All-American linebacker Jay Higgins. After another strong year across the national football landscape, Higgins was littered among All-American teams.

He found himself on all the right teams and has earned himself a spot in Iowa history forever. Jay Higgins is Iowa’s newest consensus All-American.

Seth Wallace, linebacker coach and assistant head coach, took to X to congratulate Higgins on the accomplishment and give recognition to the way Jay Higgins made it happen.

Consensus All-American status requires one to be named a first-team selection by over half of the outlets recognizing All-Americans. The outlets include the Walter Camp Foundation, the Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, the American Football Coaches Association, and the Associated Press.

Higgins recorded 118 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a sack, two forced fumbles, nine pass deflections, and four interceptions during the 2024 campaign.

Iowa has had a consensus All-American for the last six years and 11 since 2014 which displays their ability to develop talent at the highest level across college football.

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Trio of Iowa football stars named to USA TODAY Sports All-American team

Three Hawkeyes find themselves among the nation’s best.

Football is the ultimate team game with 11 players on the field for both teams at all times, but it can’t be missed that star players make teams better.

This season, the Iowa Hawkeyes had three stars that stood out not only against their opponents but among the entire college football world.

In the USA TODAY Sports All-American Team, Iowa is represented by three players between the first and second team selections.

Kaleb Johnson and his historic season was selected as a First-Team All-American running back alongside Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.

Jeanty ran for at least 128 yards in every game against FBS competition and closed with a 209 yards and a score in the Mountain West championship game against UNLV. Johnson led the Big Ten by a wide margin in rushing yards (1,537) and touchdowns (21). – Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

Johnson carried the ball 240 times for 1,599 yards and 21 touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry. He added 22 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns.

Kaleb Johnson set Iowa’s single-season touchdown record with 23 total touchdowns and is now headed to the NFL Draft, where he will almost certainly hear his name called early.

At linebacker, Jay Higgins represents Iowa as a First-Team All-American selection. He is joined by Chris Paul of Ole Miss and Jalon Walker of Georgia.

Paul (88 tackles, 11 for loss) had a terrific second half to the regular season as the Rebels came up just shy of the playoff. One of the most productive linebackers in Iowa history, Higgins (118 tackles) finished second in the Big Ten in stops. Walker stepped into a full-time starting role as a junior and came up big in Georgia’s biggest games, tallying a combined four sacks in two wins against Texas. – Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

Jay Higgins once again led the Hawkeyes in tackles this year and had arguably his best all-around year with the program. Higgins tallied 118 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, four interceptions, five pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and forced two fumbles.

Rounding out the Hawkeyes’ selection is a special teams player who burst onto the scene for Iowa this season. Kaden Wetjen was selected as USA TODAY Sports’ Second-Team All-American returner.

Kaden Wetjen returned 23 kickoffs this year for an average of 25 yards per kick return. His bigger impact came in the punt return game. He returned 25 punts averaging 12.5 yards per return to go with a season-long 85-yard punt return touchdown.

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Iowa Hawkeyes Jay Higgins named Big Ten Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year

Jay Higgins is going out as he deserves.

It seems that the days of a player on defense being the heart and soul of a team are going to the wayside with the explosion of offenses. Fortunately, that old adage still exists in Iowa City.

Jay Higgins, the Iowa Hawkeyes heart and soul, led Phil Parker’s defense for the last two seasons as the middle linebacker and was so much more than just a force on the field.

Higgins was able to be a coach in between the boundaries and be the focal point of one of America’s best defenses.

His efforts this year are not unnoticed, either. His performance once again helped the Iowa defense constantly stonewall opponents.

Due to that, Jay Higgins has been named the Big Ten Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year.

The award comes after Higgins tallied his second season in a row surpassing 100 tackles. This year, jay Higgins tallied 118 tackles, five pass deflections, a sack, two forced fumbles, and four interceptions to prove he can do it all on defense.

Higgins is departing Iowa after the conclusion of the Hawkeyes’ bowl game and will be starting next fall on an NFL roster likely making a team very happy in the football player and man that they are getting.

The native of Indianapolis, Indiana leaves Iowa with 336 tackles, eight pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and five interceptions to his name.

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Three stars in Iowa football’s Week 13 win vs. Maryland

Three stars from Iowa football’s dominant 29-13 win vs. Maryland

Iowa (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten) responded out of their Week 12 bye with a sound 29-13 victory on Saturday over Maryland (4-7, 1-7 Big Ten) from SECU Stadium in College Park, M.D.

The Hawkeyes generated 344 yards of offense against the Terrapins, including plenty of success via the run game. On the ground, Iowa ran 58 times for a total of 288 yards and two touchdowns.

While not utilized as much, the passing game from redshirt sophomore Jackson Stratton was efficient by finishing 10-of-14 for 76 yards.

Defensively, Iowa returned to their stingy style of play. The Hawkeyes held pass-happy Maryland to a season-low 129 passing yards and tallied two interceptions. The Hawkeyes’ pressure throughout the game also forced seven tackles for loss and three sacks.

As the Hawkeyes return home from Maryland, here are the three stars that helped guide Iowa to another win.

Jackson Stratton

Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Statton, while not heavily relied on for offensive production, had an effective day through the air, completing 10-of-14 passes for a total of 76 yards. Stratton avoided Maryland pressure throughout the contest by taking only one sack.

Given the precarious quarterback situation that the Hawkeyes have found themselves in lately due to injuries, having a safe and consistent game out of the signal-caller is very much appreciated.

Kaleb Johnson

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Junior running back Kaleb Johnson had a monstrous game on Saturday, carrying the ball 35 times from scrimmage for 164 yards and a touchdown. While serving a minuscule role in the receiving portion of the stat sheet, Johnson also caught one pass for six yards.

Johnson’s bell-cow role in the backfield allowed the Hawkeyes to put together long first-half drives and possess the ball for a total of 37:41 of game time.

Johnson’s performance elevates his impressive season rushing total to 1,492 yards and 21 touchdowns on 223 carries for an average of 6.7 yards per play. Johnson’s touchdown against Maryland set the new Iowa single-season rushing touchdowns record.

Iowa Defense

Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The Hawkeyes’ defense returned to their typical form by putting a stranglehold on the Maryland offensive attack for much of the day, surrendering 227 yards and forcing two interceptions.

Highlighting Iowa’s defensive showing were the performances of fifth-year linebacker Jay Higgins and fifth-year defensive lineman Ethan Hurkett.

Higgins led the defense with eight total tackles (four solo), one pass deflection, and an interception. Meanwhile, Hurkett had a dominant performance on the defensive line with six total tackles (four solo), two sacks, and three tackles for loss.

Considering the Hawkeyes’ poor performance against UCLA in Week 11, the dominant showing from Iowa on Saturday was a pleasant sight.

Iowa finishes the regular season with a rivalry matchup on Friday, Nov. 29, against Nebraska (6-5, 3-5 Big Ten) in the Pioneer Heroes Game from Kinnick Stadium.

Game time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT) and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock. The game will also be available on air from the Hawkeyes Radio Network.

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Iowa pair among 247Sports’ ‘All-Homegrown Team’

A pair of Iowa Hawkeyes made their way onto 247Sports’ “All-Homegrown Team.” The list is designed to celebrate players that didn’t transfer.

Iowa football prides itself on its ability to find and develop players.

Over the years under head coach Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes’ development track record has spoken for itself. Iowa and Ferentz have seen 89 NFL draft selections over the duration of his tenure.

That includes 13 first-round selections and 12 second-round NFL draft picks.

But, it’s deeper than that. It’s the tradition of players donning the black and gold and developing over their time in the program into legitimate Big Ten and national stars.

Add two names to that list. 247Sports released its “All-Homegrown Team” and two Hawkeyes made the cut.

Senior center Logan Jones and fifth-year linebacker Jay Higgins were recognized by 247Sports. The list is designed to celebrate players that didn’t transfer and instead truly bought into the path of development.

It shines a light on players and programs that value development.

Jones, a 6-foot-3, 293 pound center, began his career on the defensive line before making the switch to the offensive side of the ball. The Council Bluffs product has now started 36 games over the past three seasons.

Iowa develops homegrown offensive linemen, especially centers, better than anyone in the country, and Jones is having a great season for the Hawkeyes. Jones shows excellent quickness and tenacity as a finisher, along with the strength to move defenders off the ball. Jones is excellent in pass protection and can reach a 2i in the Iowa zone run game. Former defensive lineman who will have a chance at the next level. – Blake Brockermeyer, 247Sports.

Higgins bided his time at Iowa and learned from Butkus Award winner Jack Campbell. Higgins’ patience paid off as the 6-foot-2, 232 pound linebacker tied the single-season school record with 171 tackles last season.

Now, Higgins has tallied 98 tackles, seven passes defensed, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and one sack during the 2024 campaign.

Higgins has been consistently excellent his entire career for the Hawkeyes’ stingy defense, and this year is more of the same. He is racking up double-digit tackles once again this season, averaging almost 10 tackles a game with 98 for the season. He has two forced fumbles and a career-high three interceptions. A must-watch player with his consistency and attention to detail, Higgins is one of the best linebackers in modern Iowa football. – Brockermeyer, 247Sports.

It’s nice to see Jones and Higgins’ contributions, their patience and their loyalty rewarded by 247Sports.

For a program that prides itself on development, both Jones and Higgins are the gold standard of what that looks like for the Hawkeyes.

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Iowa football LB Jay Higgins named a Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist

Defensive greatness continues running through Iowa.

Defensive greatness is something that has always been consistent with the Iowa Hawkeyes. That trend has seen A.J. Epenesa, Jack Campbell, Cooper DeJean, and many others don the black and gold.

Linebacker Jay Higgins is the latest defensive great who will long be remembered at the University of Iowa. The heart and soul of the Hawkeyes’ defense, Higgins is everything you want in a linebacker and leader.

He is a coach on the field, lives in the film room, and is an exceptional athlete on top of it. This combination has led to his massive success once again this season.

That success has Jay Higgins named a Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist.

The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the best defensive player in college football. The Hawkeyes have yet to have a player grab the Chuck Bednarik Trophy despite their defensive excellence over the years.

Through 10 games, Jay Higgins has tallied 98 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 7 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions.

In his career at Iowa, which began in 2020, Higgins has been a mainstay. He has appeared in 55 games and has a whopping 315 career tackles.

As Higgins winds down his career at Iowa, he has three more chances to build upon these numbers and add to his career lore which is already certain to be up there among the Hawkeyes greats.

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Iowa standout named Lott IMPACT Trophy semifinalist

Iowa football linebacker Jay Higgins was named a Lott IMPACT Trophy semifinalist on Monday.

Fifth-year Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins was recognized as one of nine semifinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy on Monday.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy is awarded annually to the nation’s top defensive player, who best exemplifies the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT on and off the field. IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Higgins is also a semifinalist for both the Butkus and Lombardi awards. The 6-foot-2, 232 pound linebacker has also been named a midseason All-American by the Associated Press, Sporting News, CBS Sports and The Athletic.

One of Iowa’s top defensive playmakers and leaders over the past several seasons, Higgins has been a rock in the center of the Hawkeye defense.

After racking up 171 tackles in the 2023 campaign to tie the single-season school record, Higgins has 98 tackles thus far in 2024. The Indianapolis product also has seven passes defensed, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, one sack and one tackle for loss this season.

In his Iowa career, Higgins has now amassed 315 tackles, 12 passes defensed, 7.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Higgins signed with Iowa in the 2020 class as a three-star per 247Sports. 247Sports rated Higgins as the nation’s No. 63 inside linebacker and the No. 17 player from Indiana.

Higgins left the loss at UCLA with what has been reported as a lower body injury. Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz updated Higgins and fellow Hawkeyes’ injury statuses after the loss at UCLA.

“Yeah, he’s got a tissue issue, so we’ll know more next week. Same way. He tried to go, he went back in and then just watching him come off the field after that possession, I couldn’t imagine him covering on a pass. Hopefully it’s not too bad and hopefully we’ll get him back next ball game,” Ferentz said.

According to Pro Football Focus, Higgins saw just 35 snaps against UCLA.

Iowa (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) has a bye week upcoming and then will return to action on Nov. 23 at Maryland.

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