IOWA CITY — Four University of Iowa football players were named to preseason watch lists, the Football Writers Association of America announced on Tuesday.

Seniors Sebastian Castro, Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson were named to the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List for the national defensive player of the year. Higgins has been tabbed as the 2024 preseason national defensive player of the year by Phil Steele.

Senior offensive lineman Logan Jones was recognized on the 2024 Outland Trophy Watch List, presented to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman on offense or defense.

Higgins recorded 171 tackles (79 solo, 92 assists) last season, which led the Big Ten and ranked third in the nation. That total ties the program record for tackles in a single season. He was named to the FWAA All-American First Team in 2023.

Jackson contributed 110 tackles (51 solo, 59 assists) at linebacker, good for second on the team and fourth in the conference. He was a third-team All-Big Ten honoree by league media and honorable mention all-conference by league coaches in 2023.

Castro led the team in 2023 with eight pass break-ups and three interceptions in the defensive backfield. Those totals ranked fourth and ninth in the Big Ten, respectively, last season.

Jones is Iowa’s first Outland Trophy preseason honoree since Tyler Linderbaum (2021). Jones started at center in 13 games last season, missing the Nebraska game due to injury.

The Council Bluffs native was voted third team All-Big Ten by conference media and honorable mention All-Big Ten by league coaches.