Jay Higgins named semifinalist for Bednarik Award
University of Iowa senior linebacker Jay Higgins has been tabbed as a semifinalist for the 2024 Chuck Bednarik Award, it was announced Tuesday by the Maxwell Football Club.
Presented annually since 1994, the Bednarik Award is named for University of Pennsylvania linebacker Chuck Bednarik and recognizes the most outstanding defensive player in the nation.
Higgins is also a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, Lombardi Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy. He was named a midseason All-American last month by the Associated Press, Sporting News, CBS and The Athletic.
Higgins (6-foot-2, 232 pounds) is second in the Big Ten in tackles (10th nationally), making 98 tackles (9.8 per game). He led the team in tackles in Iowa’s first nine games of 2024, including a season-high 14 tackles against Ohio State, Washington and Michigan State. The native of Indianapolis has five double-digit tackle games this season and 16 in his career. His 315 career tackles are tied for 17th in program history. Higgins also has three interceptions and two forced fumbles.
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Higgins is the only player in the nation with 90+ tackles and three interceptions. His three picks are tied for the second most among linebackers from a Power 4 conference.
Semifinalist voting for the Bednarik Award begins today and will close on Nov. 23. Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 26 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.
Iowa is one of seven schools to have at least one Maxwell and Bednarik semifinalists (Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas). Hawkeye running back Kaleb Johnson was selected as a Maxwell Award semifinalist.
