IOWA CITY, Iowa — Four University of Iowa football players were named to preseason watch lists, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced on Tuesday.
Seniors Sebastian Castro, Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson were named to the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List for the national defensive player of the year. Higgins was previously tabbed as the 2024 preseason national defensive player of the year by Phil Steele.
Senior offensive lineman Logan Jones was recognized on the 2024 Outland Trophy Watch List, presented to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman on offense or defense.
Iowa and Georgia have the second-most Nagurski preseason honorees. Former Hawkeye cornerback Cooper DeJean (2023) and linebackers Josey Jewell (2017) and Pat Angerer (2009) were finalists for the prestigious award.
Higgins (6-foot-2, 232-pounds) recorded 171 tackles (79 solo, 92 assists) last season, which led the Big Ten and ranked third in the nation. That total ties the program record for tackles in a single season. The Indianapolis native was named to the FWAA All-American First Team in 2023.