Iowa Hawkeye Legend Jay Higgins Returns Home to Face Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium

Former Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins will have a homecoming of epic proportions on Sunday when his Baltimore Ravens take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The undrafted second-year pro, who grew up in Indianapolis and starred at Brebeuf Jesuit, will have roughly 100 family members and friends cheering him on from Section 608.

Higgins' journey to the NFL is a testament to perseverance, hard work, and the belief that one opportunity is all it takes. Despite setting a school record with 471 career tackles at Brebeuf, he received just one Power Four scholarship offer. That offer came from Iowa, and it changed everything.

From Undrafted to the NFL: Jay Higgins' Unlikely Path

Higgins made the most of his opportunity with the Hawkeyes, leading the nation with 171 tackles in 2023 and earning first-team All-American honors in 2024 with 124 tackles and four interceptions. Yet, despite his stellar college production, NFL teams passed on him in the 2025 draft.

His father, Roy Higgins, said the snub only fueled his son's determination.

It definitely put a chip on his shoulder. The whole undrafted experience was very emotional for our family. It brought everybody closer together during that time. But it does go to show everybody that 3A, 2A, 1A, it doesn't matter. If you put in the work, you can reach your goals. There's a path that can be created in your own way.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta Praises Higgins' Work Ethic

Higgins signed with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent in May 2025. He earned his roster spot through relentless effort, which caught the attention of Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta.

You're one of the rare guys that never takes a moment off, never takes a play off, never takes a day off. We're proud of you. It's hard, man. It's hard to make this team and it's really hard to make this team as an undrafted guy. But there is no reason why you can't be a player in the NFL for 15 years the way you play.

When Higgins called his father with the news, Roy was overcome with emotion.

Let me call you back. I started praising God and then started calling half the world.

Learning From the Best: Jack Campbell and Roquan Smith

Higgins' path mirrors his time at Iowa, where he waited behind All-American Jack Campbell, now with the Detroit Lions. This season, he serves as the backup middle linebacker behind All-Pro Roquan Smith in Baltimore.

Roy Higgins said his son has always known how to make the most of waiting.

Jay knows how to wait his turn. And while he's waiting, he's like a sponge. He absorbed a lot from Jack Campbell and now he can absorb a lot from Roquan Smith.

A Family Affair: The Support System Behind Higgins' Success

Roy, who coached Jay growing up, credits his wife Shelly for making the right calls early on, including choosing Brebeuf for academics over a big-name football school. Jay's older sister Royce, a former Division I volleyball player at Mississippi Valley State, also showed him what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Roy recalled knowing early on that his son was destined for greatness.

I could see when he was 3 or 4, 'This kid is going to be special.' His movement, his motor skills. I thought, 'I'm going to help him be a football player.'

What This Homecoming Means for Iowa Fans

For Iowa fans, Higgins represents everything that makes Hawkeye football special: hard work, patience, and a refusal to quit. His return to Lucas Oil Stadium, where he played in the Big Ten Championship games in 2021 and 2023, is a full-circle moment.

Roy Higgins said the support from friends and family who never got to see Jay play at Iowa has been overwhelming.

When the schedule did come out it was like, 'Wow, he's coming home.' We're going down the street to see our baby. There are a lot of people who never had the chance to see him play at Iowa who said, 'I want to go to this one.' It's very exciting for our family, one of the biggest moments of Jay's career.

Jay's grandfather, who encouraged Roy to find a team where Jay could play middle linebacker, passed away in September 2021. He won't be in attendance Sunday, but his influence lives on in the player Higgins has become.

Kickoff is set for Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Expect a loud Section 608, all in Ravens purple, cheering on one of Iowa's finest.