Jay Higgins, Iowa: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Higgins was a three-star recruit from Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis, Ind. in the class of 2020

Iowa’s Jay Higgins is one of the most accomplished linebackers in recent college football history, but athletic limitations could drop him to Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Higgins leaves the Hawkeyes as a two-time All-American with more than 290 tackles split across his final two seasons.

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Jay Higgins, LB Iowa: 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Fifth-year senior middle linebacker from Indianapolis, Ind.

Background: Higgins was a three-star recruit from Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis, Ind. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 1,646 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 1,607 for On3.com. Higgins was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 72 grade out of 100. He split time between linebacker and tight end and lettered all four years in high school. Higgins was a team captain as a junior and senior, earning First Team All-State, All-Conference, and All-County honors in both seasons. He also earned All-State and All-Conference honors as a sophomore. As a senior, MaxPreps credits Higgins with catching 27 passes for 340 yards and four touchdowns. Iowa credits him with totaling 151 tackles, five passes defensed, and three forced fumbles as a senior. As a junior, Higgins hauled in 30 receptions for 423 yards and six touchdowns and tallied 145 tackles, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and a pick-six. He made 158 tackles and forced four fumbles as a sophomore. Higgins finished his career with a school record 471 tackles. He helped Brebeuf Jesuit Prep reach the State Championship Game as a sophomore. Higgins lettered three times on the basketball team. He was born on Feb. 14, 2002.

Injuries & Off-Field: Exited 2024 UCLA game with a hamstring injury but played through it the following week

Awards: 2023 First Team All-Big Ten, 2023 Second Team All-American, 2024 First Team All-Big Ten, 2024 Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, 2024 First Team All-American

Pros: More than 500 career special teams snaps, special teams experience on the kick return, kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage, and field goal block units, high motor in pursuit, good urgency flowing horizontally, hustles to get outside the numbers, heavy hitter when he arrives, efficient wrap-up tackler, collisions tight ends in man coverage to slow them down, quick to close on tight ends on in or out breaking routes, comfortable covering running backs into the flat and shallow areas of the field

Cons: Questionable arm length, not a twitchy or sudden athlete, not a loose athlete, lacks sideline-to-sideline range, run defense instincts are average, inconsistent run fits, takes false steps downhill opening off-tackle run lanes, overreactions move him out of position, overruns some plays in pursuit, lacks the mass to compete with climbing linemen, stack and shed leaves something to be desired, struggles to get off blocks, gains inconsistent depth in zone drops, slow transitions between routes in zone, athletic concerns in man coverage, awkward and heavy footwork in man coverage, lacks acceleration to match top end athletes, quickly out-leveraged by slot pass catchers, occasionally slides off a tackle attempt

Overview: Higgins is a veteran linebacker with more than 500 career special teams snaps primarily split across five special teams units. His primary path to the field early in his NFL career will be as a special teams player. Higgins’ arm length is questionable, and he’s not a loose or sudden athlete. He lacks sideline-to-sideline range and possesses average athleticism. His motor runs hot at all times. He forced a fumble against Ohio State (2024) that required him to pursue the ball roughly 15 yards downfield and track down the carrier to the opposite hash. Hustle plays like that are littered across Higgins’ tape. The Indiana native displays impressive urgency flowing horizontally to the football. He hustles to get outside the numbers to pursue outside zone runs or screens. Higgins is a heavy hitter who wraps up and limits his missed tackles. Despite his historic production, Higgins’ instincts against the run are only average. He takes false steps downhill that lead to him being out-leveraged on outside runs, and his run fits lack consistency. His eagerness to trigger and overreactions early in plays move him out of position. He overruns some plays in pursuit and lacks the agility and change of direction skills to recover. Higgins’ frame doesn’t have the mass or power to compete with climbing linemen. This, combined with his arm length, leads to him getting stuck on blocks. The Hawkeyes occasionally asked Higgins to match up in off-man coverage against tight ends in the slot, but he mostly handled shallow zone assignments in coverage. He collisions tight ends early in the play to slow them down and quickly closes on short in or out breaking routes from zone coverage. Higgins is comfortable mirroring running backs to the flat and other shallow areas of the field but struggles at depth because of his athletic limitations. The fifth-year prospect gains inconsistent depth in his zone drops and transitions slowly between threats. He lacks the combination of acceleration, agility, change of direction, and speed to play a heavy dose of man coverage. His awkward and heavy footwork prevents him from mirroring playmakers at the top of the stem. Slot threats quickly out-leverage Higgins up the seam.

Overall, Higgins’ physical traits don’t match his historic production, but his special teams experience, motor, and ability to lead by example on a veteran defense will land him a Day 3 draft selection. Higgins needs to expand his comfort level in diverse coverages to provide every-down value in the NFL.

Role & Scheme Fit: Weakside linebacker in an even-front scheme

Round Grade: Late Fifth to Early Sixth Round

Size: 6'2", 232 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 10-24-24

Updated: 12-23-24