The Iowa Hawkeyes have a few players who will be selected throughout the 2025 NFL Draft. While the biggest name of the bunch is standout running back Kaleb Johnson, there is another intriguing name to keep an eye on.

Jay Higgins, the team’s star linebacker, will also be selected at some point in the draft.

Arguably one of the most underrated linebackers in the 2025 draft class, Higgins put together a very strong college career at Iowa. He has been projected to end up being selected anywhere from the third to the fifth round.

Being selected in any round lower than the third round would make him a major steal.

That being said, a new projection has been made for where Higgins will end up.

Scott Salomon of Pro Football Network has predicted that the Los Angeles Rams will end up taking Higgins with the No. 98 overall pick.

Landing with the Rams would be a great opportunity for him. Los Angeles needs help at the linebacker position and he could come in and earn playing time right off the bat.

Throughout the course of the 2024 season with the Hawkeyes, Higgins ended up totaling 124 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles, four interceptions, and five defended passes.

In his entire Iowa career, Higgins produced massive numbers. He racked up 341 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, five interceptions, and nine defended passes.

While there are some concerns about his athleticism and ability to translate to the NFL, his production speaks for itself. Sometimes, teams have to look past the tape and focus on how a player plays on the field. That is how Higgins should be looked at.

Hopefully, Higgins is able to land with a good team and earn playing time early on. He is one of the best defensive players that the Hawkeyes have had in recent years and fans will continue rooting him on at the next level.

Associated Press

Iowa State Cyclones (17-2, 8-1 Big 12) at Arizona Wildcats (13-6, 7-2 Big 12)

Tucson, Arizona; Monday, 10:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: No. 3 Iowa State visits Arizona after Curtis Jones scored 33 points in Iowa State’s 76-61 victory against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

The Wildcats are 9-1 in home games. Arizona leads the Big 12 in rebounding, averaging 36.6 boards. Tobe Awaka leads the Wildcats with 7.8 rebounds.

The Cyclones have gone 8-1 against Big 12 opponents. Iowa State ranks sixth in the Big 12 shooting 35.0% from 3-point range.

Arizona’s average of 6.9 made 3-pointers per game this season is only 0.7 fewer made shots on average than the 7.6 per game Iowa State gives up. Iowa State scores 15.7 more points per game (84.6) than Arizona allows to opponents (68.9).

The Wildcats and Cyclones meet Monday for the first time in conference play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Awaka is averaging 7.4 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Wildcats. Caleb Love is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Jones is averaging 18.6 points for the Cyclones. Keshon Gilbert is averaging 14.6 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wildcats: 9-1, averaging 82.0 points, 34.7 rebounds, 18.3 assists, 8.0 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.0 points per game.

Cyclones: 9-1, averaging 81.7 points, 35.0 rebounds, 14.5 assists, 10.3 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.5 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

#2 Iowa will welcome #4 Ohio State to Carver-Hawkeye arena on Saturday, January 25 in what has the potential to be one of the best duals of the weekend. This match will go down at 2:00 pm (ET) and will be streamed live on the Big Ten Network. We’ll be providing real-time updates for this incredible dual for you to follow along in the article below.

Iowa vs Ohio State Probable Starting Lineups

125: #29 Joey Cruz, Iowa vs #12 Brendan McCrone, Ohio State

133: Keyan Hernandez, Iowa vs Ben Davino, Ohio State

141: #20 Ryder Block/Jace Rhodes, Iowa vs #1 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State

149: #4 Kyle Parco, Iowa vs #10 Dylan D’Emilio, Ohio State

157: #1 Jacori Teemer/Miguel Estrada, Iowa vs #19 Sammy Sasso/Brandon Cannon, Ohio State

165: #2 Mikey Caliendo, Iowa vs #13 Paddy Gallagher, Ohio State

174: #5 Patrick Kennedy, Iowa vs #6 Carson Kharchla, Ohio State

184: #5 Gabe Arnold/Angelo Ferrari, Iowa vs #20 Ryder Rogotzke, Ohio State

197: #1 Stephen Buchanan, Iowa vs #18 Seth Shumate, Ohio State

285: #11 Ben Kueter, Iowa vs #5 Nick Feldman, Ohio State

125: #29 Joey Cruz, Iowa vs #12 Brendan McCrone, Ohio State

Cruz gets in cleanly on a right side single leg about a minute in but McCrone defends by draping over the top. Cruz can’t get past McCrone’s defense and the ref calls a stalemate. Cruz fires off another single leg but this time he attacks the left side and is in a much better position to finish. Cruz captures the other leg and secures the takedown with 45 seconds to go in the first. After a quick escape by McCrone, Cruz gets right back in on the leg and almost finishes but time runs out and Cruz holds a 3-1 lead going into the second.

Cruz chooses neutral in the second period and gets right back to his attacks finishing quickly to extend his lead to 6-1. Cruz cuts McCrone for the escape but this time it’s McCrone who attacks – he almost finishes but Cruz defends long enough for the stalemate. The pace slows at the end of the second period and it’s 6-2 going into the third.

McCrone chooses top in the third and immediately starts to attack with a leg in and a cross-face cradle. Cruz is called for stalling and hit again to give up a point with 30 seconds to go in the third. McCrone continues to attack on top and Cruz is called for stalling again but there isn’t enough time left for McCrone to get anything going – Cruz gets the big 6-5 upset win.

Team score – Iowa 3, Ohio State 0

133: Keyan Hernandez, Iowa vs Ben Davino, Ohio State

A little surprise for both teams with starters Drake Ayala and Nic Bouzakis out. Davino hits an early short-fireman’s to get out to a quick lead and then immediately cuts Hernandez. Davino hits a smooth misdirection single to secure another takedown. After riding for about 40 seconds, Davion cuts Hernandez again and finishes the period with another takedown to hold a 9-2 lead at the end of the first period.

Hernandez starts the second period down and Davino lets him go for the escape. Davino hits an arm drag for a takedown this time and then immediately gives Hernandez the escape. Davino goes back to his misdirect single to earn his fifth takedown of the match. Davino finishes the second period with a cross-arm tilt to close the match out with a 19-4 tech fall.

Team score – Iowa 3, Ohio State 5

141: #20 Ryder Block, Iowa vs #1 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State