Latest news with #JayHiggins
ABC News
10-07-2025
- ABC News
Donnybrook farmer saves lives through organ donations after tragic, freak accident
A 46-year-old father who died after a tragic farming accident in Western Australia's South West has been remembered by his family as an "absolute larrikin who didn't have an angry bone in his body". Warning: This story contains details of an injury that some readers may find distressing. Jay Higgins was about to castrate a small calf when it kicked the elastrator pliers he was using, causing them to puncture through his inner eye socket, just missing his eye, and into the left side of his brain. Mr Higgins's sister, Sarah Higgins, said their father witnessed the incident. "Dad's seen him launch out of the race and he was face down in the mud, cow poo, and he was just screaming, 'I'm hurt, I'm hurt,'" she said. "He was [partly] paralysed straight away, he was trying to grab the pliers to remove them and he was screaming at my dad to get them out." After her father removed the pliers, Ms Higgins said he had to leave his son to get help. "[Dad] got on the motorbike back to the family home and called triple-0 on the landline, and basically just screamed at them he needed the chopper," she said. About 20 minutes later, local ambulance crews were able to transfer Mr Higgins out of the cattle yard and to the RAC rescue chopper, which had landed nearby on the family's farm. He was then placed in an induced coma and flown to Royal Perth Hospital's intensive care unit. "Dad was with him the whole time," Ms Higgins said. "There was no way of getting those pliers out without damaging more … the neurological team explained to us, it wouldn't have mattered if they were removed in a surgery environment." Ms Higgins said the shock of the situation hit her, her family, and her brother's life partner Ayla hard during the five days they spent bedside with him in the ICU. "We had a lot of time with him, and he looked perfect, he was warm, he was comfortable, he wasn't in pain," she said. But Mr Higgins's injury was too severe, and the family and his partner were left with a heartbreaking decision. "The neurological team had advised us that Jay would never regain movement on the left side of his body, he would be highly unlikely to regain movement on the right side of his body," Ms Higgins said. "It's not the sort of person he is, none of us, we're always on the go all the time … Jay's usually out in the bush or he's on the farm somewhere on the tractor … he's just always doing something. "Him being in a wheelchair and not being able to talk or walk or look after himself … it wasn't an option for us, we knew that's not a life that he would've wanted." Mr Higgins had been a registered organ donor since 2002, so the family started "intricate and intense" conversations with the hospital about what would happen next. "He ticked every box, he wanted to donate everything, so we just basically fulfilled his wishes," Ms Higgins said. She said all of her brother's organs were donated to recipients across Australia and New Zealand — apart from his eyes and heart. "His lungs have gone and saved someone else's life who was on a ventilator who couldn't breathe on their own, which I think is amazing," Mr Higgins said. She said knowing parts of her brother would live on had given a sense of hope to the family. "Especially for my dad and my mum," she said. Ms Higgins said the farm, built by their grandfather, meant "everything" to her hardworking brother. "The legacy of the farm was always going to go to Jay and his family. My sister and I have never questioned that for a second," she said. "He's always worked on the farm with pop, we all did as kids, but my sister and I moved … Jay stayed and was raising his four children and making sure they're part of the farm." With Mr Higgins gone, Ms Higgins said she would step up to continue the family's legacy alongside sister Kristie and her husband Darrin, and Mr Higgins's partner, Ayla. "It's been incredibly difficult for us, but at the moment we're focused on giving Jay a remarkable send-off," she said. "After that, we're going to have to be mindful of what Mum and Dad have gone through, and then we've got to focus on making sure we can still keep the farm running."
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
A look at Iowa rankings in EA Sports College Football 26
Last year, EA Sports brought the thrills of college football back to video game consoles with the release of EA Sports College Football 25. The game was an immense hit, seeing more than 2.8 million players engaged with the game in the first week. By December, it became the best-selling sports video game of all time in the United States. When a game is so successful, a sequel is a given and that's exactly what college football fans are getting with EA Sports College Football 26 which is set to release on July 10. EA Sports has released their Top 25 rankings for a variety of categories and Iowa is featured on multiple lists. Where do the Hawkeyes rank in these different categories? Let's take a look. What are Iowa's offense and defense ratings in College Football 26? To no one's surprise, Iowa's defense is ranked higher than the offense in this years game. The Hawkeye defense is ranked in the Top 25 defenses in the entire game, coming in with an 84 overall rating. They have the same defensive rating as South Carolina, Arizona State and Florida. For comparison, Iowa had the 13th highest rated defense in College Football 25, at an 88 overall. Following the departures of Jay Higgins, Nick Jackson and Sebastian Castro, it's understandable why EA is a little lower on the Hawk defense this year. On the offensive side of the ball, Iowa is nowhere to be found in the Top 25, which makes sense with Kaleb Johnson gone. It's rumored that Iowa will have an 80 overall offense, but nothing is officially confirmed by EA Sports. The Hawks will look to increase that rating with an improved offensive season in 2025. What does EA Sports think of Kinnick Stadium? Most fans know that Kinnick Stadium is one of the toughest places to play in the country, with numerous top teams seeing National Championship hopes die at Kinnick over the years (Just ask Ohio State, Michigan or Penn State fans). But what does EA Sports think? They released the top 25 hardest places to play in College Football 26 and Kinnick Stadium made the list, coming in at 19th. They're right behind Husky Stadium home of the Washington Huskies, and directly ahead of Rice-Eccles Stadium, home of the Utah Utes. In total, eight Big Ten stadiums are represented on the list: Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington and Michigan State. Who are Iowa's highest rated players in the game? In another ranking released before the game drops, EA Sports named the top 100 players in the game by rating. Iowa had two players make that list. Both Gennings Dunker and Aaron Graves snuck into the back end of the Top 100 at 91 overall ratings. Dunker was an AP second-team All-Big Ten player last season and was named to Phil Steele's preseason first-team All-Big Ten squad for the 2025 season. He started 11 games at right tackle for the Hawks last season. Graves was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten player last season after posting six sacks, eight tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Similar to Dunker, he was named to Phil Steele's preseason first-team All-Big Ten squad for 2025. He was also named to the Lott Trophy preseason Award watch list. While not making the top 100 overall players, Logan Jones, Xavier Nwankpa and Beau Stephens among others will probably be close to a 90 overall rating. Hawkeye fans can pick up the game and play with the Hawks on July 10. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football LB Jay Higgins considered one of the most underrated NFL draft propsects
Iowa football LB Jay Higgins considered one of the most underrated NFL draft propsects Some guys are just better players with their pads on between lines once the game kicks off. For one reason or another, be it nerves or simply not a strong suit, some players may not test well at the NFL Scouting Combine or their pro day. For some of those players, all teams need to do is turn on the film to realize there is more than meets the eye or the test results. Some guys are natural football players, and Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins is one of those. Despite not testing as well as he would have liked at the NFL Scouting Combine, Higgins clearly shows his value when you see the tape and his output while at Iowa. Even with his production, he has slid down some teams' draft boards. That has Jay Higgins ranked as one of CBS Sports' most underrated prospects in the 2025 NFL draft. Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa CBS Sports NFL Draft Prospect Ranking: 235 Higgins' draft stock absolutely tanked after a rough combine performance, where he ran a 4.82-second 40-yard dash and posted a sub-9.5-foot broad jump. While his physical traits may not jump off the page, there's no denying he's an impactful player. He had 289 total tackles from 2023-24 and logged a career-high four interceptions and five pass deflections last season. He's also consistently graded as one of the best pass coverage linebackers since he emerged as a starter at Iowa, suggesting that he moves a lot better on the field than he does in underwear. - Will Backus, CBS Sports Jay Higgins totaled 341 career tackles with Iowa, and that does not occur by accident. Even more impressive isthat 171 of those tackles came in one breakout season to put him on the map of NFL teams. His ability to produce is only furthered by his nose for the ball. With nine pass deflections, five interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles, Jay Higgins is a prospect waiting to make an NFL team very happy in the future. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
USA Today
08-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football LB Jay Higgins carries special NFL draft trait that separates him
It is hard to make a list of former Iowa Hawkeyes football players who carry heart and soul and not immediately start thinking about linebacker Jay Higgins. The former All-American linebacker at Iowa did more than just play stout defense. He was the heartbeat on defense, a coach on the field, and a sturdy linebacker who was always in the right place at the right time. That trait can't be measured or coached or taught, but it is noticeable. Jay Higgins has incredible instincts and can rely on them to reach his maximum ability. His instincts are some of the best in the 2025 NFL draft class, and ESPN has ranked Higgins as the top linebacker in this draft with the best instincts. Most instinctive at second levell: Jay Higgins, Iowa Higgins plays faster than his 4.82-second 40. He's regularly in position to make stops, with 325 tackles over his college career. - Matt Bowen, ESPN Jay Higgins played five years with the Hawkeyes, and his tackle totals weren't by accident. The native of Indianapolis, Indiana registered 341 career tackles for the Hawkeyes, which included 171 total tackles in 2023 and 124 in 2024. Higgins also has a nose for the ball. He totaled nine pass deflections, five interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles. His ability to rely on his instincts is a key attribute to shutting down an NFL run game at the next level. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
USA Today
01-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Social media erupts to Iowa All-American RB Kaleb Johnson testing at NFL Scouting Combine
Social media erupts to Iowa All-American RB Kaleb Johnson testing at NFL Scouting Combine The Iowa Hawkeyes have been well-represented at the NFL Scouting Combine this week. They saw linebacker Jay Higgins and defensive lineman Yahya Black get things going. Yesterday saw a trio of Luke Lachey, Jermari Harris, and Sebastian Castro hit the field. Today, the most anticipated Hawkeye hit the field. Big Ten Running Back of the Year and consensus All-American Kaleb Johnson had his turn to show all 32 NFL teams what he could do amid the tests and measurements. With all eyes on Johnson as he trends toward a second round pick in the NFL draft, social media erupted to his testing results. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
