Iowa Football Position Preview: LB

Jay Higgins, Nick Jackson, Kyler Fisher Prepared to Fill Big Shoes

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins (34) stuffs Illinois running back Chase Brown on Oct. 8, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

Nick Jackson knew the numbers and the resumés from Iowa’s linebacker group last season.

Jack Campbell had 128 tackles on his way to being named a consensus All-American and the winner of the Butkus Award, given to the best linebacker in the nation.

Seth Benson had 95 tackles, with 41 solos, on his way to being named a second-team All-Big Ten selection.

So, Jackson knows there are high expectations for him coming into the season as a transfer.

“I watched all the tape on Jack Campbell and Seth Benson,” Jackson said. “Those two are world-class dudes. They are great players, unbelievable talent. I don’t think about replacing them. I try and think about filling my role for the Iowa Hawkeyes and doing whatever I can do to help this defense reach its standard.”

Jackson’s resumé is also impressive. He led the ACC in tackles per game at 10.4 last season at Virginia. He was a second-team all-conference pick last season, and has 354 tackles in his career.

“I am going to try and be in the right spot at the right time,” said Jackson, who is No. 1 on the depth chart at outside linebacker for the Hawkeyes heading into Saturday’s season opener with Utah State. “I will try to be as physical as I can and make plays around the ball. That is what I am working on every day.”

Jackson didn’t arrive on campus until the summer — he was finishing course work at Virginia before coming to Iowa as a graduate transfer.

“So now he's learning everything,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said at media day in early August. “It's like drinking through a fire hose a little bit, but he is a pretty cerebral guy and he is picking it up fast. Great attitude. He's mature, strong, just a strong presence.

“Yeah, I think he's going to be just fine. He'll be good.”

Jackson is part of a talented group of starters at linebacker. Jay Higgins is at the middle linebacker spot, and Kyler Fisher is No. 1 at the Leo/Cash spot.

“Nick came in and he is a very eager, very smart football player,” Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker said. “The biggest thing he has given is he has added some more depth obviously, he’s a guy that has game experience. Between Jay, Nick, and Kyler Fisher, and the other guys coming in, that builds us depth back there.”

Jackson likes the talent surrounding him.

“Day in and day out, everyone is coming to work,” Jackson said. “We are building on and stacking days. A lot of guys are growing up and there is a lot of depth in the group

“All of us are close, and I think that is what is awesome about the group. We are all pouring into each other with all of our knowledge, trying to give as much as we can. We push each other every day.”

Higgins appears ready for a bigger role. He had 39 tackles in 12 games last season, and side-by-side with Jackson makes for a good tandem.

“It has been fun working with Jay,” Jackson said. “He is instinctive and vocal. He’s a great leader. Working with him and building that camaraderie, on and off the field, has been a pleasure so far.”

Jaden Harrell is No. 2 at the depth chart behind Higgins. Fisher is No. 2 behind Jackson, which would put Sebastian Castro in the Cash spot.