Jay Higgins 7-26-23

  • last year
Jay Higgins interview
Transcript
00:00 I feel like I just learned so much.
00:02 I feel like I've never grown this much in my life, so happy.
00:06 Happy I chose to be a Hawkeye and I feel like I've just been learning every day.
00:11 >> What were some of the guys that you really took away from,
00:14 what did you take away from, or
00:16 who were some of the guys that you really took a lot away from,
00:18 you know, throughout your career that way?
00:20 >> I'd definitely say basically everybody in the linebacker room.
00:24 More recently, just Jack Campbell and Seth Benson and
00:28 how big they've been for my development.
00:30 Just able to look up to such great players.
00:34 What a good linebacker in Iowa looks like, what a hard worker looks like,
00:40 what a leader looks like, just able to look up to those guys.
00:43 And when I first got into the linebacker room, guys like Nick Neiman and
00:47 Barrington Wade just accepted me with warm, welcoming arms.
00:53 So I just feel like the guys that paved the way for me to be where I'm at today
00:59 really left the linebacker jersey in a better place.
01:01 >> You know, from high school to now, obviously you talk about instincts and
01:04 growing, where do you feel like you've kinda grown the most on field-wise?
01:08 >> I would definitely say it's a completely different game at college level.
01:13 I mean, these offenses are finding a way to score more points more efficiently.
01:21 So just my ability to read offenses, my ability to keep my eyes on my keys.
01:28 I mean, we're at the level now where you can't just run to the ball and
01:31 expect to make the play.
01:32 So just understanding offensive scheme and things like that.
01:37 >> What is that relationship been like with Nick?
01:39 I know you guys are really close.
01:40 You guys were leaving the facility laughing with each other the other day.
01:43 What has that relationship been like?
01:46 >> We're truly best friends.
01:48 I mean, I feel like that's the best answer for the media,
01:51 cuz that's what you guys wanna hear.
01:53 But honestly, we are best friends.
01:55 We're about to move into our house together, me, Nick,
02:00 Tyler Fisher, and Deontay Craig.
02:02 So we'll have four guys in the house talking defense, so
02:06 that should be pretty fun.
02:08 But yeah, we've just been spending this summer getting close with each other.
02:12 He's been helping me with my golf game.
02:14 We've been sharing the same golf clubs all summer.
02:17 They're actually nicknamed, so just let you know how the linebacker room,
02:21 the linebacker room comes full circle.
02:24 >> What element has Nick added to this team?
02:26 I mean, it's kind of rare to see a fifth year guy come from an ACC program.
02:31 What has he added?
02:32 >> He reminds me a lot that he has his degree.
02:36 So he's got that on me.
02:37 But just the competitive nature from him.
02:42 I mean, he fits right in with us.
02:45 It feels like he's been in the Iowa program for the last four years.
02:50 So I mean, he's coming and obviously he's been himself, but
02:54 he fits in right with what a Hawkeye linebacker looks like, which has been great.
02:59 >> Yeah, I know you guys don't really listen to the outside noise much, but
03:03 how do you kind of handle expectations from last year's linebacker group,
03:07 heading over to this year?
03:08 It's completely different besides you.
03:10 >> Yeah, I'm just excited, me personally excited to go out there and
03:14 show guys what I can do.
03:16 I mean, I've been learning for a long time now.
03:19 I'm a great linebacker.
03:21 So I mean, we're all excited.
03:23 Everybody in that room is excited to show what we can do.
03:27 I mean, we're just gonna use each other.
03:30 It takes everybody in the room.
03:31 So I know the linebacker room will end up where we wanna be if we just
03:37 focus on the everyday small details and little things.
03:40 >> Who are some of the younger guys that you feel like have made more strides in
03:43 the last year or so, or even guys that just got on campus?
03:46 >> Yeah, I'd just say Jackson Rexroth, Zach Tweed, Tee Lander,
03:51 Harold Shire, that class right there.
03:55 Those guys who really just been, they start to pick up on what's a Hawkeye
04:00 linebacker and the dedication and the amount of film that goes into it.
04:06 I mean, the social aspect and
04:08 the sacrifice of being a college athlete, what it's truly about.
04:12 And then these freshmen that just got on campus, like Keeter.
04:16 I mean, I hate to scare him a little bit, but I see a lot of Campbell in him.
04:22 Just a long linebacker.
04:23 And then Jack and Aiden, they just got back from the Shrine Bowl.
04:28 The Shrine Bowl's a pretty big deal in Iowa.
04:31 So just getting some of those freshmen back in skills and
04:33 drills, it's been fun watching them.
04:36 >> Explain more about Keeter.
04:37 What other things do you know about Campbell you feel like?
04:41 >> Yeah, he's a tall kid, long.
04:43 I mean, I tell him I'll wrestle him in the locker room,
04:48 knowing I'll never try to do that.
04:49 But he's one of those guys who knows that details matter.
04:54 Always trying to get better.
04:56 Always asking what he couldn't get better.
04:59 He's in a position where he's really trying to learn.
05:03 And I recognize that.
05:04 >> I appreciate it.
05:05 >> I guess you're pretty cautious at high school,
05:09 being under the hood like this.
05:11 What all was that like?
05:13 >> It was challenging, really.
05:15 I mean, one thing I did a good job with was just
05:19 trying to be better every high school game.
05:21 I mean, I was just trying to put out the craziest numbers I honestly could.
05:26 But I was just, the good thing about high school is you're out there with some of
05:31 your friends, and at that level, it's not quite a business.
05:35 Guys are still out there having fun.
05:37 So, I mean, I'll always remember my high school days.
05:40 But yeah, it was definitely challenging not getting the attention that I felt,
05:46 that I wanted.
05:47 So I'm happy Iowa reached out.
05:50 I'm glad that I chose Iowa in the long run.
05:53 I mean, if I had all the schools in the world,
05:57 I'd probably think I chose Iowa again, so.
06:00 >> Was that your own thought?
06:02 Was Iowa your own thought?
06:03 >> Yeah, so I had basically everybody in the MAAC conference.
06:06 And then Iowa offered me, and I just got off the market right after that.
06:10 Really didn't wanna hear from anybody else who saw that Iowa offered me and
06:17 then wanted to start recruiting me.
06:19 So I just, I think I was committed on my official visit,
06:23 maybe the Sunday of my official visit, so.