Jayden Higgins Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Reese Strickland/IMAGN Images)
School: Iowa State
Class: Senior
Position: WR
HT: 6’4
WT: 214 lbs
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Background: Jayden Higgins was a low 2-star wide receiver out of Miami, Florida. He was barely a top 400 player in the state of Florida. Higgins played football for Westminster Christian School. Jayden earned all-county honors as a junior. Higgins chose to play for Eastern Kentucky over Austin Peay and Stetson.
College: Jayden spent two seasons at Eastern Kentucky, accumulating 1,151 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a sophomore, Higgins earned Second Team All-Atlantic Sun honors. Higgins then transferred to Iowa State ahead of the 2023 campaign. In 2023, Higgins started 12 games, recording 53 receptions for 983 yards and 6 touchdowns. Higgins was named an honorable mention All-Big 12 and Offensive Newcomer of the Year. In 2024, Higgins took another step forward. He earned Second Team All-Big 12 and Third Team All-American honors. He tallied 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Strengths: Higgins has been productive for the entirety of his Iowa State career, showing that he can be relied upon to handle a heavy workload. Jayden Higgins has ideal size for a boundary receiver. His frame provides for a friendly target for the quarterback on the outside. His wingspan creates a catch radius that combines with reliable hands to bring in most targets. Most receivers at Higgins’ size are not sharp route runners, this does not apply to Jayden. He is methodical throughout each route, getting in and out of his breaks efficiently. Higgins can dissect both man and zone coverages and find openings or create separation in both. He is a smart football player and continuously makes the right play. Despite having the size for the boundary, he can be moved across the offense to play anywhere. He can also succeed in pre-snap motion to get the defense on their toes, or in a stagnant stance on the line of scrimmage.
Weaknesses: Higgins is quick and elusive for his size, but his long speed leaves much to be desired. He will not create separation on go routes with pure speed and will need to get physical or shifty to win reps. With such size, it would benefit Higgins to improve upon his run blocking consistency. He has the frame that makes it tough for defensive backs to impact a run, but he does not sustain blocks with any type of consistency. Higgins gets off the line slow, allowing for the cornerback to stay in phase at the base of the route stem.
Conclusion: Jayden Higgins is an interesting case as he does not profile like his body type would suggest. He plays with incredible quickness and route running technique, which could provide for an excellent change of pace on the boundary in the NFL. Teams will love the idea of getting a big wide receiver who does not sacrifice technique for size.
Scheme Fit: Scheme Versatile
Ideal Role: X Receiver
Best Team Fits: SEA, KC, CLE
Player Comparison: Tee Higgins
Player Grade: Round 2 (83.6)
