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More Semifinalists -- KJ, Jay Higgins

Eliot Clough

HB Heisman
Staff
Jan 11, 2023
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10,018
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iowa.rivals.com
From UI on KJ:
Iowa junior running back Kaleb Johnson has been recognized as a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, it was announced Tuesday by the Maxwell Football Club.

The Maxwell Award has been awarded to College Football’s Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert Maxwell for his contributions to the game as a player, sportswriter and official.

Johnson, who is Iowa’s first Maxwell semifinalist since quarterback Ricky Stanzi in 2010, is having a record-breaking year for the Hawkeyes. He has tallied a school-record 126 points this season, via a school-record 21 total touchdowns. Johnson (6-foot-0, 212-pounds) has rushed for 20 scores, which ties Shonn Greene’s single-season record set in 2008. Johnson has rushed for 1,328 yards in 10 games in 2024, the second-most in the country and seventh most in program history.

The native of Hamilton, Ohio, has scored at least one touchdown in 10 straight games -- the longest stretch in school history. He has seven games this season with two or more rushing touchdowns, believed to be the most in a single season in program history.

Semifinalist voting for the Maxwell Award begins today and will close on Nov. 23. Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 26 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.

Iowa is one of seven schools to have at least one Maxwell and Bednarik semifinalists (Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas). Hawkeye linebacker Jay Higgins was selected as a Bednarik Award semifinalist.

On Jay Higgins:
Iowa senior linebacker Jay Higgins has been tabbed as a semifinalist for the 2024 Chuck Bednarik Award, it was announced Tuesday by the Maxwell Football Club.

Presented annually since 1994, the Bednarik Award is named for University of Pennsylvania linebacker Chuck Bednarik and recognizes the most outstanding defensive player in the nation.

Higgins is also a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, Lombardi Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy. He was named a midseason All-American last month by the Associated Press, Sporting News, CBS and The Athletic.

Higgins (6-foot-2, 232 pounds) is second in the Big Ten in tackles (10th nationally), making 98 tackles (9.8 per game). He led the team in tackles in Iowa’s first nine games of 2024, including a season-high 14 tackles against Ohio State, Washington and Michigan State. The native of Indianapolis has five double-digit tackle games this season and 16 in his career. His 315 career tackles are tied for 17th in program history. Higgins also has three interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Higgins is the only player in the nation with 90+ tackles and three interceptions. His three picks are tied for the second most among linebackers from a Power 4 conference.

Semifinalist voting for the Bednarik Award begins today and will close on Nov. 23. Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 26 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.
 
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