Jay Higgins Returning for 2024 Season

Iowa All-American Linebacker Utlilizing COVID Campaign

Iowa LB Jay Higgins. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

IOWA CITY, Iowa -  Iowa Football announced the signing of 21 prep athletes last Wednesday. The Hawkeyes may have landed their biggest recruit almost a week later, however. 

Senior linebacker Jay Higgins announced Tuesday night that he'd be coming back for a sixth season next fall. He's piled up 155 tackles through the first 13 games this season, which ranks second in the country. 

Higgins will be hoping several of his teammates join him in putting off pursuing their NFL dreams. It's been reported that his running mate on the defense's second level, Nick Jackson, has been granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA. 

Sebastian Castro, Quinn Schulte and Jermari Harris are other super seniors on Iowa's defense considering another college season. Iowa's NIL Swarm Collective can help them financially. 

Higgins was thought to be a linchpin in the Iowa coaches recruiting them to stay. The team captain could influence what others decide, although he's said he will give them space to do what's best for them and their families. 

The FWAA, Phil Steele and Sports Illustrated named him a first-team All-American in 2023, while he made the second-team for the AFCA, CBS, Walter Camp, Associated Press and Sporting News. Big Ten coaches and media tabbed him as a first-team all-conference pick. 

With Higgins taking over for departed '23 first-round pick Jack Campbell at middle linebacker this season, the Hawkeyes continued fielding an elite defense. They headed into this coming Monday's Citrus Bowl fourth nationally in scoring defense at 13.2 points per game.