After each enjoyed outstanding Week 1 NFL preseason performances for their respective clubs, Pro Football Focus handed out their two highest grades to rookie linebackers to Iowa products Nick Jackson and Jay Higgins.
Jackson, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after two years with Iowa, joined Tampa Bay history with a sack and an interception in his professional debut. Jackson also recorded six solo tackles in Tampa Bay’s 29-7 win over the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night.
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Higgins, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens following five seasons with the Hawkeyes, was instrumental in the Ravens’ 24-16 preseason-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts by snagging an interception midway through the fourth quarter to set up a field goal to extend the team’s lead.
Jackson grabbed the No. 1 spot with an overall defensive grade of 90.0, while Higgins followed closely with an overall defensive grade of 88.1 grade.
While this is exciting news for Hawkeye fans to see two iconic players have such incredible professional debuts, it honestly should not be a surprise given their talents and the program’s reputation for producing some of the NFL’s top defensive players.
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Hawkeye fans will get to see both in action for their Week 2 matchups as Jackson’s Buccaneers travel to Pittsburgh to take on former Iowa teammate Kaleb Johnson and the Steelers. Meanwhile, Higgins’ Ravens travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys.
Both games will be on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. CT and be available to stream on NFL+.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football rookies earn top NFL preseason marks per PFF