Jay Higgins

Roy Jebaz "Jay" Higgins IV (born February 14, 2002) is an American professional football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Early life Higgins was born on February 14, 2002, and attended Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School. He committed to play college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

College career As a freshman at the University of Iowa in 2020, Higgins notched just two tackles. In 2021, he totaled five tackles and a fumble recovery. In week 9 of the 2022 season, Higgins recorded a career-high 11 tackles versus Northwestern. He finished the season with 39 tackles with one and half going for a loss, and half a sack. Higgins tallied 16 tackles in the 2023 season opener against Utah State. In week 4, he notched a career-high 18 tackles versus Penn State. Higgins was a semifinalist for the 2023 Butkus Award and a first-team all-Big Ten Conference selection by both the coaches and the media. In 2024, Higgins was again named first team all-Big Ten and won the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year.

College statistics

Professional career

Higgins signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2025. Higgins survived the final round of cuts and made the Ravens' initial 53-man roster. After suffering a knee injury in Baltimore's Week 10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, he was placed on injured reserve on November 16. Higgins was activated on December 27, ahead of the team's Week 17 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.