Jay Higgins LB Iowa | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jay Higgins LB Iowa
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/29/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.72 seconds (47%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.3 DOB: 02/14/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 04/29/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.72 seconds (47%*) | |
| Age: 22.3 DOB: 02/14/2002 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 85.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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92% |
| Pass Rush: |
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66% |
| Run Defense: |
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88% |
| Coverage: |
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96% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#81
Position rank:
#6
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| College Games: 29 College Snaps: 1240 | ||
ESPN RATING: 72/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 83/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Junior Colson - Michigan |
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83% |
| Marte Mapu - Sacramento State |
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72% |
| Tommy Eichenberg - Ohio State |
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69% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jay Higgins from Brebeuf Jesuit High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Higgins joined Iowa.In 2020 as a freshman Higgins saw action in just one game and played a total of 15 snaps at linebacker for the Hawkeyes. He recorded only 2 tackles, no assists, while adding no stops.
As a sophomore for the Hawkeyes in 2021 Higgins played in 5 games and took part in 39 snaps for the Hawkeyes. He recorded only one tackle, one assist, while adding one stop.
In 2022 as a junior Higgins played in 9 games and contributed on 201 snaps. He recorded 22 tackles, 8 assists while making 12 stops. In coverage Higgins chalked up no pass breakups, no interceptions, and an unimpressive QB rating when targetted of 128.1. As a pass rusher, he produced 5 total pressures, which included 4 QB hurries, no QB hits, and one sack on the year.
In 2023 as a senior Higgins logged playing time in 14 games and logged a total of 985 snaps for the Hawkeyes. He also added a huge 114 tackles, 58 assists, and 62 stops. While in coverage Higgins made 3 pass breakups, one interception, and QB rating when targetted of 80.9. As a pass rusher, he tallied 17 total pressures, which included 12 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and 2 sacks on the season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Reads the quarterback to anticipate and is a candidate to play outside.
- Tougher between the tackles than many expect. Fluid and quick drop into zone, covers enough ground to be Tampa-2 "MIKE" and knows where the markers are.
- Higgins has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on.
- Showed initial quickness and good flexibility to dip and bend. He has active hands and suddenness to his movements, demonstrating the ability to counter inside.
- He can be used as a rangy run defender inside, instinctive when it comes to locating the ball with the quickness to get to it before blockers can react at the second level.
- He has a compact build, but Higgins is a crafty edge player who is very good against the run. Higgins sets the edge and effectively wards off blocks with a strong core, powerful limbs, and natural leverage.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- He’s often slow to react and locate the ball against the run.
- Has lean limbs and needs to get stronger and add bulk to his frame.
- Plays too high when trying to set the edge. His motor is inconsistent.
How other scouting services rate Jay Higgins (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
66.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
5.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.