Jay Higgins plays collegiate football as a linebacker for the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference. He is in his senior year and started his collegiate career with the Hawkeyes in 2020.
During his junior and senior years, Higgins was listed in the All-State Top 50. As a junior and senior, he received first-team all-state, all-conference, and all-county honors. Higgins won all-state and all-conference honors as a sophomore. As a sophomore and a junior, he assisted the prep team in making it to the state championship game and state regionals, respectively.
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What grade is Jay Higgins in as of the 2024-25 season?
According to the Iowa Athletics website, Jay Higgins is in his fifth year at Iowa, as of 2025, where he is continuing his college football career as a linebacker for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
What does Jay Higgins major in?
According to the Iowa Athletics website, Jay Higgins is majoring in environmental policy and planning at Iowa.
Jay Higgins College
Jay Higgins enrolled at Iowa in 2020. As a freshman in 2020, Higgins played six games and recorded his first career tackles, including two solo stops in a win over Minnesota. His contributions earned him his first letter. During his sophomore year in 2021, Higgins appeared in all 14 games, compiling five tackles and securing his first fumble recovery on special teams, which led to an Iowa touchdown.
In 2022, Higgins's role expanded as he played in 12 games and started at the Leo/cash position against Wisconsin. He recorded 39 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 quarterback sacks. His standout performances included a season-high 11 tackles in a win over Northwestern and a recovered blocked punt in a victory over Wisconsin. He received several honors for his contributions, including the Hayden Fry Award and the Next Man In Award, and was named to the Player Council.
During his senior year in 2023, Higgins started 14 games as a middle linebacker and led the team with 171 tackles, which ranked third nationally and first in the Big Ten. In addition to placing second in fumbles recovered, he led the Big Ten in both solo and assisted tackles. With 171 tackles in a season, Higgins tied the school record, and his 92 assisted tackles are the second-highest in Iowa history. In addition, he recorded many pass break-ups and quarterback pressures, two quarterback sacks, one interception, and five tackles for loss.
Higgins received multiple preseason accolades leading up to the 2024 campaign, including selection as Phil Steele's preseason Defensive Player of the Year and selections to the first team All-America by Athlon, Phil Steele, and Walter Camp. Higgins led the team in the first two games of the 2024 season with 18 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception, and a pass breakup. Among his collegiate accomplishments are his 341 career tackles, which rank 14th in program history.
How many years of eligibility does Jay Higgins have?
According to the Iowa Athletics website, Jay Higgins has one year of eligibility remaining as a fifth-year player.
FAQ's On Jay Higgins
A. Jay Higgins plays as a linebacker (LB) for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
A. Jay Higgins is 1.88 m tall.
A. Jay Higgins is from Indianapolis, Indiana.
A. Jay Higgins attended Brebeuf Jesuit Prep in Indianapolis.
A. Jay Higgins wears the number 34 for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
