Tag: Jay Higgins

Iowa Hawkeyes select season-opening captains

The Iowa captains versus Utah State are set.

One of the greatest honors a player can be bestowed by their fellow teammates and from their coaches, the Iowa Hawkeyes have their captains for Week 1.

Quarterback Cade McNamara, tight end Luke Lachey, defensive end Joe Evans and linebacker Jay Higgins will represent the Hawkeyes as captains versus the Utah State Aggies.

The talented mix of players is actually a nice portrayal of the hopes for Iowa’s 2023 season.

Outside of Evans, there’s a relative lack of production from the group. At least in Iowa City anyways. Yet, that’s the story of the 2023 Hawkeyes. How much production will Iowa get from new faces and from faces that have been in the program but haven’t been placed in key roles here yet.

Of course, McNamara passed for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns while leading Michigan to the 2021 Big Ten championship. Obviously, that wasn’t at Iowa, though.

Lachey flashed in a big spot last season, reeling in 12 receptions for 166 yards with a score during the Minnesota and Nebraska games when Sam LaPorta was sidelined with an injury.

Then, there’s Higgins. He slides in to replace Jack Campbell at middle linebacker. Though Higgins tallied 39 tackles last season, including an 11-tackle performance versus Northwestern, he’s only started once in his career. Now, he’s a full-time starter and expected to be one of the Hawkeyes’ best players.

While there’s only one transfer portal addition among that group, the trio is symbolic of Iowa’s offseason shift toward a number of new leaders and hopefully stars in a number of different places.

Lastly, there’s Evans. Unlike the other three captains to start, Evans has been one of the Hawkeyes’ most productive defensive players each of the past two seasons.

The 6-foot-2, 252 pound defensive end has tallied 75 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks over the last two years.

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Everything Cooper DeJean, Jay Higgins, Luke Lachey said with Big Ten Network

Cooper DeJean, Jay Higgins and Luke Lachey caught up with Big Ten Network host Dave Revsine to preview Iowa’s 2023 season.

A trio of Iowa Hawkeyes stars made the trek to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to preview the 2023 college football season.

The preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year pick, cornerback Cooper DeJean, made his way to Indy. The 6-foot-1, 207 pound defensive back was joined by standout tight end Luke Lachey and rising linebacker Jay Higgins.

Of course, DeJean picked off five passes last season and returned three of them for touchdowns. Lachey was Iowa’s second-leading receiver and finished with a team-high four touchdowns. Lastly, Higgins is set to start at linebacker this season and registered 39 tackles a season ago.

As part of their Big Ten media days festivities, the trio swung by the Big Ten Network booth to speak with host Dave Revsine. Here’s everything the three Hawkeye stars had to say.

Questions for each of Iowa’s Big Ten media days attendees

A trio of Hawkeyes players are off to Indy for Big Ten media days. What questions do we have for each and Kirk Ferentz in 2023?

The Iowa Hawkeyes descend upon Indianapolis for Big Ten media days on Wednesday, July 26.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz will address the press from 11:15-11:30 a.m. CT. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes’ player attendees feature defensive back Cooper DeJean, linebacker Jay Higgins and tight end Luke Lachey.

Here’s a pair of questions for each of Iowa’s players attending. Plus, one big question for coach Ferentz as well.

Iowa DT Noah Shannon scrapped from Big Ten media days due to sports gambling ‘involvement’

Due to his involvement in the sports gambling investigation, Iowa defensive tackle Noah Shannon has been scrapped from Big Ten media days.

Due to his involvement in the NCAA’s ongoing investigation of sports gambling at the University of Iowa, Hawkeye defensive tackle Noah Shannon is being replaced as one of Iowa’s Big Ten media days representatives.

Linebacker Jay Higgins will instead attend alongside cornerback Cooper DeJean and tight end Luke Lachey.

The sixth-year defensive tackle voluntarily chose to be replaced given his involvement and the fact that the investigation is ongoing. Shannon released the following statement:

“Being selected to represent the Iowa Hawkeye football team at Big Ten Media Day is a tremendous honor and privilege. I am grateful for the opportunity. However, given the circumstances I told Coach Ferentz it would best for him to select another player. Since the NCAA review is not yet complete, I don’t feel it is right for me to represent the team.” – Noah Shannon.

Shannon is projected as a returning starter for the Hawkeyes up front defensively and a key cog in Phil Parker’s Iowa defense.

Like defensive end Joe Evans, Shannon made the decision to return to Iowa City for a sixth season. The 6-foot, 295 pound defensive tackle has been a mainstay each of the past two seasons for the Hawks.

Shannon finished 2022 with 44 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and one pass defensed. The Aurora, Ill., native has started all 27 games over the past two Iowa seasons and has racked up 91 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz released a statement as well:

“Noah’s decision to share this information and suggest that another player take his place is reflective of his character. Noah is a committed and dedicated teammate, and this is a fine example of him always wanting to put the team first.” – Kirk Ferentz.

Higgins appeared in 12 games last season and started a pair. The 6-foot-2, 233 pound linebacker from Indianapolis, Ind., finished the 2022 season with 39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.

DeJean set Iowa’s single-season record with three interception returns for touchdowns in 2022. He finished last season with 75 tackles, 13 passes defensed, five interceptions and three tackles for loss. That earned the Odebolt, Iowa, native first-team All-Big Ten recognition from the league’s media.

After his breakout campaign, DeJean is a trendy name for 2024 first-round NFL mock draft boards. He’s also a preseason second-team All-American per both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

Meanwhile, Luke Lachey figures to be one of the Hawkeyes’ top offensive weapons. Working as Iowa’s No. 2 tight end a season ago, Lachey flashed all sorts of potential.

Then, when Sam LaPorta was injured late in the season, Lachey showed that he’s more than ready to step into the role of being the Hawkeyes’ No. 1 tight end. The 6-foot-6, 253 pound tight end reeled in 28 grabs for 398 yards with a team-high four touchdown receptions.

Against Minnesota and Nebraska, Lachey combined for 12 catches, 166 yards and one touchdown. He is expected to form one of the Big Ten’s best tight end duos alongside Michigan transfer Erick All. Lachey was chosen as a preseason second-team All-Big Ten selection by Phil Steele.

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Iowa Hawkeyes 2023 Snapshot Profile: No. 34 Jay Higgins

Jay Higgins has bided his time. Now, it’s his turn to shine in Iowa City. Jay Higgins’ 2023 snapshot profile.

Finally! A new storyline to talk about!

Throughout this entire snapshot profile series on defense, the talk has been the same. While there are some new, young faces looking to make their marks in 2023, the defensive line brings back many key players from the season prior. Besides a few changes, it is still largely the same unit as last year. There are few questions about how the boys up front will play.

Move back to the next layer of the Iowa defense at linebacker and you will find one of the biggest changes in recent years for the program. Jack Campbell was the model of consistency during his two years as the starter for the Hawkeyes, winning the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker last year.

A year after having all of the confidence in the world about a known commodity at middle linebacker, now comes the change. Campbell is now a member of the Detroit Lions, going 18th overall in the most recent NFL draft. Up next is senior Jay Higgins, a player who has patiently waited for his chance.

In the new age of college sports, Higgins easily could have left Iowa. After Campbell decided to come back for one last year, the former three-star linebacker out of Indianapolis, Ind., could have easily taken his talents somewhere else and played. He decided not to, opting instead to wait his turn and learning and growing as an understudy.

When he did play last year, the results showed, a team leading 12 total tackles against Northwestern. Now, Higgins isn’t just expected to come in and play. He steps in as the all-important middle linebacker, the centerpiece of the defense.

A lot of faith is being placed on the young linebacker. Can he deliver? Here is a look at new starting middle linebacker Jay Higgins.

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5 most important Iowa Hawkeyes for 2023 success

Iowa enters 2023 with question marks and some voids, but also returning talent. Who are the five more important Hawkeyes for 2023 success?

The 2023 season for the Iowa Hawkeyes feels a little bit like all of the chips have been pushed to the middle of the table and this season is all-in. With the additions via the transfer portal and the dire need to improve offensively, there is pressure. The defense has pressure as well. There are key starters gone and large voids to fill.

Looking ahead to next season, there are a handful of areas that either need improvement or things could go very sideways. There are also areas that are reloading and will be shouldering a huge amount of pressure to drive this team to success.

As we near the beginning of spring practice and will start getting a look at some new and returning Hawkeyes, there are already a handful that are success factors. Here is a look at who the five most important Iowa Hawkeyes are for success during the 2023 season.

Report card: Grading the Iowa Hawkeyes’ dominant 33-13 win over Northwestern

Finally, a report card Iowa can safely bring home. The Hawkeyes get high marks across the board after a 33-13 thumping of Northwestern.

A three-game losing streak reminds everyone just how sweet winning is. As Vince Lombardi once said, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”

Truly, it’s the tonic for plenty of woes. Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said as much leading into the Hawkeyes’ Homecoming game against Northwestern and he said as much afterwards.

“Just one thing that never changes in football, losing stinks, and winning is a really good feeling. So our guys needed to experience that. So we’re right back. We have four weeks left in conference play. But the biggest thing is we’re moving in November. And November is about playing your best football. That’s what it’s all about. So that has to be our goal,” Ferentz said.

Iowa (4-4, 2-3 Big Ten) heads to Purdue next week looking to get the record back over the .500 mark. Before that, let’s hand out some grades that Iowa can actually feel comfortable taking home to mom and dad. Pull up a chair, class is in session.

Week 1 Iowa Hawkeyes defensive depth chart versus the South Dakota State Jackrabbits

Iowa released their first defensive depth chart of the season. What changes were made for their week one clash against South Dakota State?

Iowa released their depth chart on Monday for their week one clash against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and it surely is interesting. Virtually nothing is changed on the defensive line from the depth chart we’ve already seen, and that might puzzle some.

Some players are listed at different areas on the chart than how we’ve seen them used during camp. The most important thing to note with head coach Kirk Ferentz’s Hawkeyes, the depth chart is not the be all end all. Just like the pirates code, Iowa’s depth chart is more what you would call guidelines instead of rules.

Defensive coordinator Phil Parker and defensive line coach Kelvin Bell know how to utilize their guys best, relying on the depth and versatility abundant with this unit. Expect to see Iowa’s front line look a lot different on game day. That being said, here’s a look at the week one defensive depth chart that was released.

‘I think so’: Iowa LB Seth Benson believes Hawkeyes’ defense can be better in 2022

Can Iowa’s defense actually be better in 2022? That’s the question the Hawkeyes have been getting asked. There’s reasons to say yes.

Expecting Iowa’s defense to improve upon what that unit accomplished in 2021 might seem like a tall task at first glance. After all, the Hawkeyes finished No. 13 nationally in scoring defense, surrendering just 19.2 points per game.

Iowa also ranked No. 17 in total defense and reeled in an FBS-best 25 interceptions. Topping all of that would be quite the feat for Hawkeye defensive coordinator Phil Parker and his group.

Plus, the Hawkeyes are set to replace a pair of key cogs on the back end defensively in cornerback Matt Hankins and safety Jack Koerner. Then, there’s fellow starters in defensive end Zach VanValkenburg and CASH Dane Belton that need replacing.

Those four players combined for 130 career starts. Last season alone, that group accounted for 237 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 15 pass breakups, 11 quarterback hurries, 10 interceptions and 5.5 sacks.

Still, Iowa returns plenty of firepower defensively. Up front, the Hawkeyes bring back Yahya Black, Deontae Craig, Joe Evans, Logan Lee, Lukas Van Ness, Noah Shannon and John Waggoner. In his first summer availability, Lee was already raving about Iowa’s defensive line depth.

In the secondary, Sporting News tabbed cornerback Riley Moss as a first-team preseason All-America selection. It’s the third different media outlet to do so. There’s plenty of optimism surrounding what fellow corners Cooper DeJean, Jermari Harris and Terry Roberts can bring to the table.

Then, at safety, Sebastian Castro, Kaevon Merriweather, Jaxon Rexroth and Quinn Schulte all represent reliable options. Five-star freshman defensive back Xavier Nwankpa also figures to have his imprints on this defense sooner rather than later.

And, of course, there’s the linebackers. Senior Jack Campbell has been getting plenty of preseason love after leading the country with 143 tackles last season. He joins Moss as a preseason first-team All-America selection by Sporting News, Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

It’s for those reasons that returning weak side linebacker Seth Benson believes defensive improvement could in fact be a reality for the Hawkeyes in 2022.

“Yeah, I think so. Obviously, just got to keep pushing ourselves. Communication. It comes down to communication and executing everything, so just continue to push ourselves, not set limits for ourselves and just keep going upwards,” Benson said with HawkeyeReport‘s Tom Kakert.

While Campbell has deservingly received plenty of preseason recognition, Benson registered 105 tackles, eight quarterback hurries, 5.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two sacks, and in interception in his own right in 2021.

Iowa also has Jestin Jacobs back. The 6-foot-4, 238 pound Englewood, Ohio, native tallied 53 tackles, a pair of quarterback hurries, two sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and 0.5 sack last season.

“Yeah, just super excited, ready to just get things rolling and start getting back out there and start playing again. Besides the fact of the on-field stuff, it’s just a great group to be with every day and work with. Even past Jack and Jestin, all those guys, Kyler (Fisher), Jay (Higgins), Logan Klemp, just down the list. Just a great group of guys to be with that push each other and know the ultimate goal that we’re trying to get to,” Benson said.

Jacobs echoed Benson’s optimism for Iowa’s defense entering 2022 with Hawk Central‘s Chad Leistikow.

“I’m very optimistic. Just because I’m seeing every day what we’re doing, how we’re putting in our work, how we’re focusing on the little things each and every day. It definitely leaves me with confidence in our defense knowing that each and every day we’re working to get better,” Jacobs said.

As the architect of Iowa’s defense, Parker gets a lion’s share of the credit. But don’t forget about the contributions from linebackers coach Seth Wallace.

“It is one of the most rewarding things, one of the most challenging days, but one of the best men I’ve been able to meet and be coached by and I’d say one of the best coaches I’ve ever been a part of as well. Each and every day he’s going to come in and he’s going to push you to your absolute best. Even if you make a good play, he’s always going to be critical on you, because you can make another good play and you can do it even better.

“He just knows how to get me going. He knows how to push me to the best. He knows how to critique me. To my fundamentals, to my effort. Every single thing. He’s one of the first coaches here and always one of the last coaches to leave just because he’s going to spend the same time on each and every one of us. And one of the most detailed guys. I could go on and on and on,” Benson said of Wallace.

Parker and Wallace have ingrained selflessness within the Hawkeyes’ defenders as well. It’s something Jacobs admits he didn’t arrive in Iowa City with. Or, at least not to the degree he exhibits while manning the CASH position today.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t say it always has been, but I would definitely say it made me grow as a person and it made me grow into that role. Knowing that sacrificing for the betterment of the team is going to make us all better in the end. It’s not about yourself. At the end of the day, you’re playing alongside 10 of your brothers and each play somebody’s relying on you to do your job. That took me a little bit of time to learn and I definitely appreciate that about our defense,” Jacobs said.

Selfless and talented. Defining characteristics of this Iowa defense heading into fall camp, and two reasons why eclipsing 2021 just might be possible.

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Mike Timm’s move to fullback signals Iowa’s comfort at middle linebacker

Senior Mike Timm is transitioning to offense and has moved to fullback, signaling Iowa’s confidence at middle linebacker.

[autotag]Mike Timm[/autotag] is one of two players that got moved to the offensive side of the football to start Iowa’s spring practices. Timm joins redshirt sophomore [autotag]Logan Jones[/autotag] as Hawkeyes that are transitioning to offense.

Jones is transitioning to the center position along the Hawkeye offensive line, while Timm is adjusting to fullback. Currently, Jones and Timm are both listed third on the initial spring depth chart at their respective positions.

Timm arrived in Iowa City from Delafield, Wis., as a walk-on linebacker and recorded four total tackles in the 2020 season. He was listed as the second team middle linebacker following the spring last year, but Timm saw game action sparingly outside of special teams.

As a result, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz saw an opportunity to perhaps find more snaps for Timm at fullback.

“And then Mike has done a great job on special teams. We’re a little bit deep at the middle linebacker position and that’s what he plays, so I felt like he might have a better avenue for playing time at the fullback spot. But we count on him to be a real good special teams guy, continue to be a great special teams leader,” Ferentz said.

This also speaks to the confidence that Ferentz and the Hawkeye coaching staff have with their top two middle linebackers. It makes sense, too. Senior [autotag]Jack Campbell[/autotag] is arguably Iowa’s best returning defensive player after racking up 143 tackles, eight passes defensed, 3.5 tackles for loss, a pair of interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble in 2021. The Hawkeye coaching staff feels great about what it has backing up Campbell as well in junior middle linebacker Jay Higgins.

Again, more than anything, this is about putting Timm in a spot where he’ll have a chance to see more snaps.

“Just give him an opportunity to play a little bit more. I think we’re pretty well set with Jack (Campbell) and Jay (Higgins). Although, you know, they’ve got to play and they’ve got to improve. I’ll go back to the first point, but you’re stacked up in there a little bit. Turner (Pallissard) had a lot of injury issues last year so, and those fullbacks, they get beat up a little bit so it’s good to be able to roll guys through if you have (injuries). He was excited about it. Mike’s just a high-energy guy,” Ferentz said.

Spring practices are for tweaking and experimenting some. Iowa will find out quickly whether or not the moves of Jones to center and Timm to fullback make sense moving forward.

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