Higgins Returns to Lead Formidable Iowa Defense

PHOTO: Justin Elsner/hawkeyesports.com Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins celebrates during the Hawkeyes' 10-7 victory over Northwestern on Nov. 4, 2023, at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

J ay Higgins had lofty goals as an incoming freshman on Iowa’s football team.

“I thought I would start the first day I got on campus and would be the greatest linebacker that Iowa has ever seen,” says Higgins, who’s now a fifth-year senior. “I quickly realized how good everyone is at the college level.”

Higgins, who didn’t start on defense until his junior year, is a prime example of what Iowa and Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz are known for—developing hard-working student-athletes into leaders. Higgins now enters his final Hawkeye season as Phil Steele’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

While linebacker has been a natural fit for Higgins, he started playing the game as a quarterback on his first-grade flag football team. His dad coached him and inspired his love of the game.

After being named a two-time all-state selection in high school, the Indianapolis native arrived at Iowa with confidence and raw talent. He soon discovered, though, that he had more to learn from fellow linebackers like Jack Campbell (22BA), who’s now in his second season with the Detroit Lions.

“I’ve always been the guy that shows up and works hard,” says Higgins, who learned a lot about dedication and work ethic from assistant head football coach Seth Wallace. “But when you’re on a team and playing major college football, you also must be a vocal leader. I hadn’t learned how to put myself out there when things are going well and when they’re not.”

Higgins had a breakthrough season last year, leading the Big Ten and tying a school record with 171 tackles. His success on the field earned him All-America honors and attention from NFL scouts, but in December, Higgins announced his return to Iowa.

“I learned that the NFL isn’t going anywhere,” says Higgins. “I wanted to come back and continue to put in the work. Iowa does a good job of preparing you for the next level.”

This season, Higgins hopes to build on the team’s historic defensive success, as Iowa trails only Georgia in the Football Bowl Subdivision for fewest points allowed and defensive efficiency during the past four years.

“I’m looking forward to helping my teammates accomplish a lot of things,” says Higgins. “My roommate, Nick Jackson, needs 114 more tackles to become the outright NCAA leader. It can be easy to get into the mindset of ‘It’s all about me,’ but it’s about playing good football together.”

Iowa has finished two of the last three seasons with 10 wins, and Higgins knows another strong performance will set him up for the next chapter of his football career.

“If we have a good season, I’ll like wherever my name is called in the NFL Draft,” he says.