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An almost all defensive top 5?! College football's top 100 players for 2024
With relatively few established superstars, college football's top 100 players for 2024 might have some surprises.
36. Jay Higgins
LB, Iowa, Senior2023 stats: 79 solo, 2 sacks, 1 FF
2023 ranking: 66
Iowa's defense has carried the team recently, and Higgins has been at the center of it. He led the Big Ten and ranked third nationally with 171 tackles last season, matching the team's single-season record. The All-America selection was always around the ball, forcing a fumble, intercepting a pass and recording five pass deflections.
19. Sebastian Castro
S, Iowa, Senior2023 stats: 47 solo, 1 FF, 3 INTs
2023 ranking: NR
Castro was everywhere last year with 74 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions. Among Big Ten DBs with at least 70 tackles, he led the league surrendering just 3.4 yards per passing attempt as the primary defender. He also allowed a completion rate of just 40% as the primary defender in coverage.