Tag: Nick Jackson

Saints met with Iowa linebacker who has the second-most tackles in FBS history

The New Orleans Saints met with Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Nick Jackson at the Hula Bowl, who has the second-most tackles in FBS history:

The New Orleans Saints have started to work on their offseason meetings with some prospects they would like to speak with from the 2025 NFL Draft class. In that group is Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Nick Jackson, who met with a whopping 13 teams at the Hula Bowl recently, including twice with the Chicago Bears.

Jackson is a six-year collegiate player, gaining a year due to the Covid pandemic, and being eligible to apply for a sixth-year waiver due to the shooting tragedy which occurred at the University of Virginia, where he attended previously and unfortunately lost three teammates in this unspeakable act. He has had a long road to the NFL and has endured through a litany of things throughout his collegiate career. Chad Leistikow of HawkCentral wrote an exceptional story on Jackson’s college career and unwavering resilience, for those interested.

Jackson’s production on the field is indicative of this resilience, as he has performed at an exceptionally high level throughout these six seasons of his career. He has worked to the point where he is now second all-time in tackles among FBS players, behind only Carlton Martial from the 2022 NFL draft class. In his career, Jackson has accrued 73 games played, 555 total tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 17.0 sacks, 19 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles with a fumble recovery, and an interception.

It is not hard to understand why teams are so enamored with Jackson as a player, as despite being slightly undersized for the position, his productivity as a linebacker is nearly unmatched. He is viewed as an early Day 3 draft pick, however could potentially go in Day 2 with a strong performance in the pre-draft process. After four seasons at Virginia and two more at Iowa, Jackson will now move on to the NFL, and pursue a professional career in the sport.

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Three stars from Iowa’s dominant win over Wisconsin

Three stars from Iowa football’s dominant win over Wisconsin.

The Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) dominated the Wisconsin Badgers (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) by a resounding 42-10 score from Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.

The victory over the Badgers closes the gap in the all-time series even more, as Wisconsin now leads 49-47-2. Additionally, Iowa improved to 9-10 in the battle for the Heartland Trophy, which has been awarded to the winner between the two programs since 2004.

Under the primetime lights of Kinnick Stadium, the Hawkeyes’ offense exploded for 422 total yards and punter Rhys Dakin pinned the Badgers’ offense deep in their own territory numerous times throughout the night.

With a blowout victory over the Badgers in the books, here are the Hawkeyes’ three stars that aided the team to victory.

Kaleb Johnson

Kaleb Jonson was electric versus Wisconsin by racking up 135 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. The junior running back was the bell cow Kirk Ferentz went to often to keep the Hawkeyes’ offense in the groove for most of the night.

His first touchdown on the night was highlight reel material as he rumbled into the end zone untouched from the Wisconsin 16-yard line in the second quarter.

The three scores and 135 rushing yards now gives Johnson 20 touchdowns and 1,279 rushing yards on the season.

Brendan Sullivan

Sullivan made his first career start in a Hawkeye uniform on Saturday as fellow quarterback Cade McNamara was unavailable with a concussion.

The junior transfer from Northwestern did not put up flashy numbers by any means but still got the job done when needed.

Sullivan finished the night by throwing for 93 yards and one touchdown on 7-of-10 completed passes. He also rushed for 58 yards and scored a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

While the offense funneled through Kaleb Johnson’s stellar rushing night, Sullivan’s performance proved to be a promising sight for Hawkeye fans as McNamara recovers.

Nick Jackson

Iowa’s stout defense held its ground against the Badgers by only allowing 261 yards of offense, but the highlight of the night defensively belonged to linebacker Nick Jackson.

With 4:35 left in the third quarter against a sputtering Badgers offense, Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke’s pass deflected off Jackson’s hands, bounced off his right foot and pinballed off the facemask of defensive lineman Brian Allen into the yawning arms of Jackson again.

Jackson returned the ball 28 yards to the Wisconsin 12-yard line, which led to a Jacob Gill 7-yard score a few plays later.

Along with the interception, Jackson finished with eight tackles.

Iowa will travel out West to Pasadena, Calif., for the next matchup on Friday as they take on Big Ten newcomer UCLA (3-5, 2-4 Big Ten) from the Rose Bowl. The game is scheduled for an 8 p.m. CT start and will air on Fox.

Friday’s game will be the first time since Sept. 18, 1987, that the Hawkeyes and Bruins face off in the Rose Bowl stadium. That game was won by UCLA 47-24.

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Iowa footballs’ top linebacker duo on Butkus Award Watch List

Could the Butkus becoming back to Iowa City?

The best linebacker duo in all of America and college football may be residing in Iowa City with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Already named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list and the Nagurski Trophy watch list, big things are in store for Iowa linebackers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson in 2024.

The two also find themselves named to the preseason Butkus Award watch list.

The Butkus Award, named after one of the greatest linebackers of all-time Dick Butkus, is given out to the best linebacker in college football.

Instituted in 1985, The Butkus Award® is one of the elite individual honors, originally given each year to one player in college football: the most impactful linebacker in the game. – Dick Butkus Award

Dick Butkus, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame left a legacy on the game. He was a unanimous All-American, two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, five-time First-Team All-Pro, and eight-time Pro Bowl selection who had his number retired by the Chicago Bears and the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Higgins and Jackson are looking to capture the Butkus Award and bring it back to Iowa City like Jack Campbell did in 2022 after his special season that he put together.

Jay Higgins had 171 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, an interception, 2 fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble in 2023. Nick Jackson had 110 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in 2023.

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Trio of Iowa football defenders on the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List

As usual, the Iowa defense is leading the way.

Another year, another loaded defensive unit for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Once again they are boasting one of the nation’s most anticipated defensive units at all three levels.

Three of those stars on the Hawkeyes’ defense reside at the linebacker and defensive back position. Those three stars, just like being named to the Nagurski Watch List, have also been named to another watch list.

Linebackers Nick Jackson and Jay Higgins along with defensive back Sebastian Castro make up the trio of Hawkeyes on the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list.

Presented by the Maxwell Football Club, the Bednarik Award is handed out each year to the College Football Defensive Player of the Year.

Established in 1995, the Chuck Bednarik Award is named after Chuck Bednarik. He was a former NFL All-Pro and current member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Despite their dominant defenses for the better part of the last decade, the Iowa Hawkeyes have yet to have a defender get their hands on the Chuck Bednarik Award at season’s end.

The trio of Castro, Jackson, and Higgins figure to be staples of Phil Parker’s defense and constantly around the ball. The three have a proven nose for the football with their ability to make countless tackles in space and force turnovers.

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Three Iowa Hawkeyes named to Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Trio of Hawkeyes tabbed for the Nagurski Trophy Watch List.

Not one, not two, but three.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have found themselves with three players on the preseason watch list for the Nagurski Trophy. The trio includes Nick Jackson, Jay Higgins, and Sebastian Castro.

The Nagurski Trophy is awarded each year to the nation’s most outstanding college defensive football player. The Football Writers Association of America and Charlotte Touchdown Club present the award.

Created in 1993 by the Football Writers Association of America, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the best defensive player in college football and is presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The award was established to complement the Heisman Trophy Award, which at the time had never been presented to a defensive player. – Charlotte Touchdown Club

Xavier Watts of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish won the award last year and once again finds himself on the watch list for those in contention. The Iowa Hawkeyes have not had a player be awarded the Nagurski Trophy since its inception.

Of those seeking the award for the Hawkeyes for the first time, they have a good chance as all three are starters that are returning for on more year as opposed to the NFL draft.

Nick Jackson and Jay Higgins combine to make Iowa’s stout linebacking group that is being regarded among the best, if not the very best in America. Sebastian Castro makes up part of Iowa’s secondary and is looking to build on his 2023 breakout season.

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Pro Football Focus gives top spot to Iowa football’s linebacker duo

Are Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson the best linebackers in America?

One thing that the Iowa Hawkeyes will do well year in and year out is play stout defense. That starts up front with the defensive line and linebackers. The Hawkeyes have had a run on great front seven players lately.

There has been Jack Campbell, Lukas Van Ness, A.J. Epenesa, and many more. Up next is the linebacking duo of Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson who burst onto the scene in 2023 fortifying Iowa’s defense in the middle.

The two are looking to build upon last season and have an even bigger year while having their sights set on being the best. They aren’t the only ones who believe that, either. Pro Football Focus has claimed they are the best linebacker duo in college football.

“That’s the best pair of starting linebackers in the country,” Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus said.

Dalton Wasserman wasn’t afraid to stamp high praise on  Jackson and Higgins with the statement. He has reason to believe it could be true as well. The two both chose to come back to Iowa rather than venture to the NFL and are part of a defense returning eight starters and is built around them.

Jackson tallied 110 tackles last year and has a total of 462 career tackles in his time with Iowa and Virginia. Higgins is coming off of a monster year in which he totaled 171 tackles in 2024 and has high hopes to build upon that.

The two provide Iowa with incredible depth and experience in the middle and give Phil Parker an added layer of trust when he sends in the defensive play.

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On3 stamps Iowa Hawkeyes with one of top LB units in America

The Hawkeyes come in as one of the top linebacker units in the nation.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are returning eight starters on defense in 2024. This is a huge boost to a unit that could have seen half of them make the jump to the NFL, but chose to run things back for the Hawkeyes.

One major part of their defense that is returning is the linebacker unit. Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson were some of the top linebackers in the country in 2023 and will be manning the middle of the field once again.

The two combined for 271 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks, eight pass breakups, and 11 QB hurries. The duo returning to Iowa has them among On3’s top linebacker units in America. Iowa is listed as the No. 2 linebacker group in America ahead of 2024.

2. Iowa

The Hawkeyes return two of the most productive linebackers in the country from 2023, plus every notable backup in the unit off last year’s Top 10 defense.

Jay Higgins and all of his 171 tackles is back for one last ride with the Hawkeyes. The fifth-year senior tied a school record for stops in 2023, and ended the season as the most valuable linebacker in the country, per PFF. Also back is Nick Jackson, as the former Virgina transfer was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA. Jackson had 110 tackles and 4.0 sacks last season.

The Hawkeyes return key swing-man Kyler Fisher, who can play inside or outside and provides real pass rushing ability (3.5 sacks), as well as several other upperclassmen who are green on experience but have been in Phil Parker’s system for several years. – Jesse Simonton, On3

Kyler Fisher is truly the key name here. He only tallied 26 total tackles last year, but he did register 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He has versatility just as Higgins and Jackson do.

Fisher also has experience in Phil Parker’s defense. He will be entering his fifth year and provides great knowledge on a defense oozing with talent.

While there may be question marks on the offensive side of the ball, one area that Iowa is rock solid is their defense. They have some of the best linebackers in the country and should be able to lean on this group on defense.

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Guessing the top 10 highest-rated Iowa Hawkeyes in EA Sports College Football 25

Ahead of the return of EA Sports College Football 25, here is a guess at who may be the top 10 highest-rated Iowa Hawkeyes in the game.

After a decade-long wait, the return of one of the most highly-anticipated video games is finally coming. EA Sports has announced that this summer will be the official return of EA Sports College Football 25.

The game was discontinued after NCAA Football was released in 2013. This pause came amid the strife around paying players for their name, image, and likeness. Obviously, it goes without saying that NIL has taken leaps and bounds to allow players to be correctly compensated.

With the return of the video game, fans of the Iowa Hawkeyes are eager to see their favorite team and its best players as they lead them to glory in dynasty mode. This is every Hawkeyes’ fans chance to light up the scoreboard and put up truly “video game” numbers on offense.

Ahead of the release, here is a guess at who are the top 10 highest-rated Iowa Hawkeyes in EA Sports College Football 25.

AEW Rampage results 02/09/24: The Young Bucks just want some respect

A look at the results from the Feb. 9 episode of AEW Rampage.

While “We want Cody” may have been the headline in the pro wrestling news this week, AEW continues its in-ring action with Rampage, maintaining the momentum from one of the best episodes of Dynamite ever.

This episode doesn’t shy away from featuring big names. With the Undisputed Kingdom fighting the Best Friends, the new-look Matthew and Nicholas Jackson in action, and the rare AEW women’s main event, the show deviates from its typical “C” show status. Let’s dive straight into the action from Phoenix.

AEW Rampage results:

  • Roderick Strong, Matt Taven and Mike Bennett (with Adam Cole in a wheelchair and Wardlow at ringside) def. Orange Cassidy, Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero by pinfall; Strong hit Heartache on Romero through a handful of chairs after the match
  • A video package recaps Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Adam Page from Dynamite
  • The Young Bucks def. Mondo Rox and Robbie Lit by pinfall; Matthew and Nicholas Jackson enter the venue, still wearing their blood-soaked suits from Dynamite, to a new video and music that had “Succession” vibes
  • After the match, Matthew and Nicholas say they’re exhausted by everyone’s disrespect; Nicholas demands everyone call them by their full names; Matthew congratulates Darby Allin and Sting for winning the AEW World Tag Team Championship, but he says Allin and Sting “are a little banged up” after their win and hopes they’re OK; Matthew says their goal is to win the titles back and it begins with a match on Wednesday’s Dynamite
  • A video package hypes Orange Cassidy vs. Tomohiro Ishii for the AEW International Championship that will take place on Saturday’s episode of Collision
  • Mistico def. Matt Sydal by pinfall; Star Jr. taunts Matt Menard after the match
  • Brian Cage says he’s looking for HOOK after his chair attack; Prince Nana sympathizes with Cage after his own chair shot; Cage says he’ll defeat any two people tomorrow on Collision
  • Willow Nightingale and Kris Statlander (with Stokley Hathaway) def. Saraya and Ruby Soho (With Harley Cameron) by pinfall; Saraya accidentally hits Soho during the match, and when Saraya attempts a tag, Soho leaves the apron and walks away; Skye Blue creepily stares down Nightingale and Statlander after the match and Julia Hart joins her moments later to close the show

Iowa LB Nick Jackson returning to Hawkeyes in 2024

Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson is returning to the Hawkeyes in 2024.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are bringing back another star from their sensational defense into the 2024 college football season.

Scott Dochterman of The Athletic was the first to report the news that Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson is returning to the Hawkeyes next season. David Eickholt of HawkeyeInsider later confirmed the report.

Jackson finished the 2023 season with 110 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles. It’s his fourth consecutive season with 100-plus tackles.

Over the course of his career, Jackson has registered 464 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles in 60 games played.

Jackson was named a second-team All-Big Ten linebacker by Phil Steele. The Atlanta, Ga., native was chosen as a third-team All-Big Ten choice by the league’s media and an honorable mention All-Big Ten choice by the league’s coaches.

Jackson was recognized as the Big Ten’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week following a 10-tackle day that included a key forced fumble in the Hawkeyes’ Week 5 win over Michigan State. He jarred the football loose from the Spartans’ Tre Mosley, which Ethan Hurkett recovered. That set up the game-icing 34-yard Drew Stevens field goal.

With Jackson’s return, Iowa is now bringing back both of its starting linebackers in 2024. Jackson’s running mate, Jay Higgins, was a Butkus Award semifinalist and a first-team All-American per the Football Writers Association of America, Phil Steele and Sports Illustrated.

Higgins tied Iowa’s and Andre Jackson’s single-season school record with 171 tackles. The Indianapolis native also registered five pass breakups, five tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble in 2023.

The Hawkeyes also got good news from defensive backs Jermari Harris and Sebastian Castro. Harris announced his return to the Hawkeyes last week.

Harris, the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year for the Hawkeyes, started 12 games at cornerback in 2023 and has appeared in 32 games for Iowa. The 6-foot-1, 190 pound defensive back totaled 42 tackles, nine pass breakups, and an interception. In total, he has a career line of 78 tackles, 17 pass breakups, and five interceptions.

Castro revealed he was returning to Iowa on Saturday.

Castro started 13 games this past season. The 5-foot-11, 205 pound defender started 11 games at the Hawkeyes’ CASH position and another two at strong safety.

He registered 67 tackles, 11 pass breakups, eight tackles for loss, three interceptions and one defensive touchdown. Castro’s defensive score was a 30-yard pick-six in the Hawkeyes’ 20-13 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series victory over rival Iowa State.

In his career, Castro has appeared in 41 games and started 21. The Oak Lawn, Ill., product has tallied 106 tackles, 16 pass breakups, 11 tackles for loss and three interceptions during his Iowa career.

Iowa awaits one final prominent stay-or-go decision defensively from starting safety Quinn Schulte. Star defensive back and punt returner Cooper DeJean declared for the 2024 NFL draft last Thursday.

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