Iowa football reflects upon Jay Higgins' impact, replacing star LB
Higgins, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft, is regarded as one of the program's most prolific linebackers, as his 341 career tackles rank him 14th all-time in Hawkeye football history.
On Thursday, Ferentz was asked what type of impact Higgins has had on Iowa's current linebackers room.
"We just talked about the changes in college athletics. Jay is a good, great illustration of what I talked about, us being a developmental program.
To me, he's everything that's great about college athletics. He also played behind a really good linebacker, and we were all worrying a couple of years ago, 'What are we going to do to replace Jack Campbell?' The answer was Jay Higgins. Jay stepped in and did a great job. He's not a first-round draft pick physically, but he's a first-round college football player," Ferentz said.
Ferentz added that Higgins' patience during his time at Iowa is commendable, as it has become commonplace for players to transfer out to other programs if starting roles are not guaranteed or given quickly.
"His production exceeded Jack's, which is hard to do. His leadership level was every bit that of Jack. To me the greatest thing about Jay was instead of running to a different place because he was playing behind a really good player, he played behind him, he learned from Jack, and learned from other people.
"When he got his opportunity, he really flourished. I think that's what's fun about collegiate athletics, to see a guy, a story like that and a person like Jay," Ferentz said.
Iowa hopes it can duplicate that Higgins-type story with players such as Jaden Harrell and Karson Sharar. That duo has been in the program and bided their time behind Higgins and Nick Jackson.
Higgins also had 17 games where he recorded at least 10 tackles, became the first to record at least 100 tackles in consecutive seasons since Jack Campbell in 2021-22 and his 171 total tackles in 2023 tied the school record for most in a single season.
"He goes with the Ravens now. He didn't go in as a draft pick, but I wouldn't rule him out. I would never rule Jay out in anything he does. Tremendous human being, just a great guy," Ferentz said.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
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