Jay Higgins announces decision to return to Iowa for 2024 season

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive standout linebacker Jay Higgins has made a decision on his future in the program. On Tuesday, the Hawkeyes revealed from their social media account that Higgins is returning to the program for the 2024 season.

Higgins has made the most of his 2023 season, being featured in the Hawkeyes linebacker corps. He did so after being star linebacker over the past few seasons, Jack Campbell, left for the NFL after the 2022 campaign. This year, through 13 games, the six foot two linebacker has recorded a staggering 155 total tackles, with 65 solo, four tackles for a loss, four passes defended, two fumbles recovered, and a forced fumble and an interception to go along with 1.5 sacks.

Higgins’ impressive year is still not over, as Iowa has one more game remaining on the schedule. That is their Cheez-it citrus bowl matchup against the SEC’s Tennessee volunteers. Should Higgins ball out in the game and record 16 tackles, he will tie former Iowa star linebacker Andre Jackson’s single-season record with 171 tackles. Anything beyond 16 will give him the outright score record.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.