Jay Higgins
Career Summary
Jay Higgins IV is a linebacker from Indianapolis, Indiana, who played at Iowa before joining the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2025.
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Early Life
Higgins is from Indianapolis, Indiana.
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High School
Higgins attended Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis.
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College Career
Higgins recorded 341 career tackles at Iowa, ranking 14th in program history. He was the first Hawkeye since Jack Campbell to record 100 tackles in consecutive seasons, with 171 in 2023 and 118 in 2024. His 171 tackles in 2023 tied Iowa's single-season record, led the Big Ten and ranked third nationally.
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Path to the NFL
After closing his Iowa career with consecutive 100-tackle seasons and national linebacker honors, Higgins signed with Baltimore as an undrafted rookie in May 2025.
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NFL Career
Higgins appeared in 11 games as a Ravens rookie in 2025, recording 10 tackles and a forced fumble while building his role on special teams. He suffered a knee injury in November, returned from injured reserve in December and remained with Baltimore for a second season.
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Career Accomplishments
Higgins was the 2024 Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American. He also earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023 and 2024, was Iowa's defensive Roy J. Carver Most Valuable Player in both seasons, and served as a permanent defensive captain.
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Playing Style
Higgins was a high-volume middle linebacker with range in coverage and consistent tackling production. In 2023, he played 472 coverage snaps without allowing a touchdown and added tackles for loss, sacks, an interception, pass breakups, quarterback pressures and a forced fumble.
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30914, 00-0040100, 2002-02-14, Jay Higgins, Jay, Higgins
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
MFT Score: 40.7
2026 preseason baseline. Position-relative and updated through the site’s weekly review process.