IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior linebacker Jay Higgins has been recognized as one of nine semifinalists for the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy, it was announced Monday.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy is awarded annually to the nation’s top defensive player, who best exemplifies the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT on and off the field. IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Higgins is also a semifinalist for the Butkus and Lombardi awards. 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.

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.

Off the field, Higgins has volunteered his time at Safe Haven Animal Shelter, Community Crisis Services and Food Bank, Special Olympics, Dream City and Student Athlete Academic Services.

He was voted upon by the local media as the 2023 Duke Slater Golden Gavel honoree, which goes to the Iowa football player who not only is most cooperative with local media but exhibits himself with professional integrity in all interactions. He is a two-time Hayden Fry Extra Heartbeat Award honoree, which is presented to a team member who shows exemplary leadership and dedication throughout the year as well as the offseason. Higgins has been on the team’s Player Council each of the last three years, a select group a players voted upon by teammates who assist in formulating policies and being involved in team decision-making throughout the year.

Former Hawkeye linebacker Josey Jewell won the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2017, while teammate Cooper DeJean was a semifinalist for the award in 2023.

Finalists for the award will be announced in December. The finalists will be invited to attend the annual Lott IMPACT Trophy award show on Dec. 9, 2024, in Las Vegas.

Iowa (6-4, 4-3) returns to action Saturday, Nov. 23 at Maryland. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. (CT) in College Park, Maryland. The game will be televised on BTN and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Jay Higgins | 2024 Honors
Dick Butkus Award Semifinalist
Lombardi Award Semifinalist
Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalist
AP, CBS Sports, Sporting News, The Athletic Midseason All-America
Chuck Bednarik Award midseason Watch List
Preseason National Defensive Player of the Year by Phil Steele
Preseason first-team Walter Camp All-American
Preseason first-team All-America by AP, ESPN, CBS Sports
Preseason first-team All-America by Phil Steele, Athlon Sports
Preseason first-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele, Athlon Sports
Preseason Big Ten Honors List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason Watch List
Lombardi Award midseason Watch List
Wuerffel Trophy preseason Watch List
Senior Bowl preseason Watch List
UI October Male Athlete of the Month