From now until the 2025 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Iowa LB Jay Higgins.
#34 Jay Higgins/LB Iowa – 5116, 226 pounds (Senior)
Measurements
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Jay Higgins | 5116/226 | 9 1/2 | 31 | 73 7/8 |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
THE GOOD
– Active player always around the ball
– Fanatical effort and chases the ball all over the field
– Sideline range and heart, takes good angles, and able to stop perimeter plays
– Plays downhill and flashes ability to get off blocks and fill the run
– Good technique and plays inside out against the run
– Delivers a rising blow, plays with leverage and pad level
– Hitter who creates power on contact
– Wraps and takes down receivers in open field in short passing game
– Displays great feel for route combinations in zone coverage, reads QB and can make splash plays (four INTs in 2024)
– Effective blitzer with great closing speed and finish
– High level of production, tackle machine, and quarterback of the defense with green-dot capability
– Highly decorated and leader
– Special teams value and experience from first two years of career
The Bad
– Undersized, short, and below ideal weight, looks small on the field
– Too often engulfed and overmatched by linemen able to latch on and control him in run game
– Inconsistent block shedding and prone to getting stuck
– Can get washed out by down blocks
– Limited athlete, choppy footsteps, and will get outrun by skill positions
– Stiff change of direction
– Can succeed in man against option routes but unable to turn and run and cover vertically
– Routinely falls off tacklers in the box/run game
– Late to key ball on play-fakes/window dressing and when back is behind LOS; lack of height hurts ability to find runner
– May lack three-down/all-situations value
Bio
– Turns 23 in February 2025
– 58 career games, 29 starts
– Career: 341 tackles (14th in school history) 9 TFL, 9 PDs, 5 INTs, 3.