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Higgins, Johnson Earn AP All-America Distinction

Sports

December 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior linebacker Jay Higgins and junior running back Kaleb Johnson were recognized as AP All-Americans, the announcement was made on Monday by the Associated Press.

Higgins is a first team selection, while Johnson was a second team honoree. Iowa has had at least one AP first or second team All-American 11 straight seasons (2014-24). The AP is one of five outlets recognized by the NCAA to determine consensus All-Americans (Walter Camp, American Football Coaches Association, Sporting News, Football Writers Association of America).

Higgins is nearing consensus All-American status, having earned first-team All-America distinction by Walter Camp, AP and AFCA. Higgins (6-foot-2, 232 pounds) was also honored as the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten. He is the only player in the nation with 100+ tackles and four interceptions. His four picks are tied for the most amongst linebackers from a Power 4 conference. Higgins, who was a semifinalist for the Lombardi, Lott IMPACT and Butkus awards, has racked up 118 tackles — second most in the Big Ten, 13th-most nationally. The Indianapolis native has been a leader on an Iowa defense that is ninth nationally, allowing 17.1 points per game.

Johnson has been named second-team All-America by the AP and AFCA, while he was a first-team choice by Walter Camp. Johnson was also voted Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten and finalist for the Doak Walker Award. He posted school single-season records in points (138), total touchdowns (23) and rushing scores (21). Johnson (6-foot, 225 pounds) rushed for 1,537 yards in 12 games, sixth-most in the country and third-most in program history. The native of Hamilton, Ohio, scored at least one touchdown in all 12 regular season games — the longest stretch in school history. Johnson had seven games in 2024 with two or more rushing touchdowns, believed to be the most in a single season in program history. He declared for the NFL Draft earlier this month.

The 2024 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America teams will be announced on Tuesday and conclude with Sporting News on Wednesday.

The Hawkeyes will play No. 19 Missouri on Dec. 30, 2024, in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl in Nashville. The game will start at 1:30 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on ESPN.

2024 IOWA POSTSEASON ALL-AMERICA NATIONAL HONORS
JAY HIGGINS: Walter Camp, AFCA, AP, CBS, The Athletic (first team)
KALEB JOHNSON: Walter Camp (first team); AFCA, AP, CBS, The Athletic (second team), Pro Football Focus
LUKE ELKIN: AFCA (first team)