Kirk Ferentz full of excitement for Jay Higgins’ national recognition
Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins (34) signals towards the sideline before a play during the first quarter against Purdue Saturday October 7, 2023 at Kinnick Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
IOWA CITY, Ia. — The Iowa linebacker is having a remarkable season, and his head coach feels the best is yet to come for the senior.
After all, Jay Higgins has everything a coach can ask for in a defender. He’s a tackling machine, with good instincts and can fly from sideline to sideline. There’s no denying Higgins’ experience, leadership and production has a lot to do with why the Hawkeyes are currently 16th in the FBS in total defense.
The Indianapolis native leads the Big Ten, and is second nationally in tackles per game. Coach Kirk Ferentz appreciates the value that Higgins brings to the table, and believes he’s following in the footsteps of last year’s Butkus Award winner Jack Campbell. Higgins was even named one of 12 semifinalists for the Butkus this week.
Ferentz is glad to see Higgins is gaining national recognition, and couldn’t be more happier for him.
“All the credit goes to Jay, in my opinion, just like Jack, Jay is a good story in that I don’t think he had a Big Ten offer,” Ferentz said. “But he is just one of those guys when you meet him, he makes you feel good, you feel like this guy is all about football and all about team.”
Like Campbell and Seth Benson, Higgins and Nick Jackson are this year’s dynamic linebacker duo. The two have combined for 185 tackles this fall. Ferentz knows Higgins is the ideal student-athlete, and carries himself with class off the field. That’s why it was a no-brainer for Ferentz to replace Noah Shannon with Higgins at Big Ten Media Days.
Higgins represents the program well, and always sets the standard for the underclassmen on what it’s like to be a Hawkeye.
“I tell our guys all the time, if you’re trying to learn how to get good, follow guys that are good, and pay attention,” the 68-year old coach said. “He clearly paid attention to guys like Campbell, Benson, and he’s playing such a high level.”
Iowa’s currently first in the Big Ten West standings, and that means the stakes are high. The Hawkeyes always lean on their defense, and the linebackers have been the backbone of the unit for multiple years. The physicality of the Big Ten takes a toll on the players throughout the season, but Higgins continues to show Ferentz his toughness.
“He’s been bumped up during the season, too,” he said. “You can’t get him out of there, it’s hard to get him out of practice because of his great attitude.”
Ferentz is confident that he can count on Higgins to set the tone for the defense every game, and deliver in the clutch. The six-foot-two, 233-pounder makes others around him better too, and the rest of the defense always feeds off of Higgins’ energy.
Iowa hosts a surging Rutgers team Saturday, and both teams have stifling defenses. Ferentz is anticipating a slobber knocker. Above all, he’s glad to see that Higgins is making a name for himself. Regardless, Higgins understands there’s still unfinished business on the gridiron, and Ferentz is confident he’ll have the defense ready for battle.
“It’s nice to see him get attention, but I think he’s more worried about Saturday than he is any of that stuff right now, like I hope everybody is.”
