Jay Higgins, linebacker from the University of Iowa, has emerged as a notable prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft. Standing at 5’11” and weighing 226 lbs, Higgins has made a significant impact during his collegiate career with the Hawkeyes.
College Career and Production
Higgins’ journey at Iowa has been marked by consistent improvement and impressive statistical output. In his final season (2024), he amassed 124 tackles (53 solo, 71 assists), 5 passes defended, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 4 interceptions. This performance followed his record-tying 2023 season, where he totaled 171 tackles, tying the school record for most in a single season.
Throughout his career, Higgins demonstrated remarkable consistency and durability, starting 29 games and accumulating 341 career tackles, ranking 14th in program history. He became the first Hawkeye since Jack Campbell in 2021-22 to record 100+ tackles in back-to-back seasons.
Strengths
- Tackling Prowess: Higgins is a tackling machine with a single-digit missed tackle rate over the last two years. His ability to consistently wrap up and bring down opponents is a standout trait.
- Football IQ: Widely regarded for his high football intelligence, Higgins served as the quarterback of Iowa’s defense, showcasing excellent anticipation and play recognition.
- Coverage Skills: Despite not being an elite athlete, Higgins has shown above-average coverage abilities for a linebacker, making him viable in nickel packages.
- Motor and Effort: Higgins’ sideline-to-sideline motor is evident in his high tackle numbers. He consistently gives maximum effort on every play.
- Special Teams Experience: With over 500 career special teams snaps, Higgins offers immediate value in multiple phases of the game.
- Leadership: As a team captain, Higgins has demonstrated strong leadership qualities and earned the trust of his coaching staff.
Weaknesses
- Athletic Limitations: Higgins’ combine performance was disappointing, particularly his 4.82-second 40-yard dash, which was the slowest among linebackers. His overall athleticism score ranked last in his position group.
- Size and Length: At 5’11”, Higgins is undersized for an NFL linebacker. His lack of length may pose challenges when stacking and shedding blocks.
- Pass Rush: While effective against the run, Higgins has not shown significant pass-rushing ability, with only 3.5 sacks in his college career.
NFL Projection
Higgins projects as a mid-to-late round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. His exceptional production and football IQ make him an intriguing prospect, but his athletic limitations may cause him to slide down draft boards.
In the NFL, Higgins could initially contribute on special teams while developing into a rotational or starting linebacker. His best fit would likely be in a system that prioritizes instincts and tackling over raw athleticism. He could excel in a role similar to Shaun Dion Hamilton, his pro comparison.
Higgins’ ability to diagnose plays quickly and his tackling efficiency could make him valuable in short-yardage and goal-line situations. His coverage skills, while not elite, are sufficient to keep him on the field in passing situations, potentially as a nickel linebacker.
Scheme Fit
Higgins would likely fit best in a 4-3 defense as a WILL (weakside) linebacker or potentially as a MIKE (middle) linebacker in a system that can protect him from having to take on blocks consistently. His intelligence and communication skills could allow him to eventually grow into a defensive play-caller role.
Draft Stock and Outlook
Prior to the NFL Combine, there was speculation that Higgins could be a Day 2 pick. However, his underwhelming athletic testing has likely pushed him into Day 3 consideration. While some mock drafts have him falling as far as the seventh round, his production and intangibles should prevent him from going undrafted.
Teams valuing football IQ, tackling ability, and special teams contributions may view Higgins as a solid late-round selection with the potential to outperform his draft position. His combine performance will likely be a significant talking point, but his game tape and collegiate production speak to a player who consistently finds ways to impact the game despite physical limitations.
In conclusion, Jay Higgins presents an interesting case study in valuing production and instincts versus raw athleticism. While he may not possess the physical tools of a top-tier NFL linebacker prospect, his consistent performance, leadership, and football acumen make him a intriguing developmental player who could carve out a solid NFL career through determination and intelligent play.
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