AP FILE PHOTO - Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins (34) pursues the play during the first half of a college football game against Illinois on Nov. 18 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

IOWA CITY — A week after national signing day, the Hawkeyes landed their biggest recruit for next season.

University of Iowa senior linebacker Jay Higgins announced through his social media that he will take the opportunity to stay for his extra COVID year of eligibility, bringing back the Hawkeyes’ top tackler from this season for one more year inside Kinnick Stadium.

The All-American made his intentions known through the Hawkeyes’ official X account (formerly Twitter), stating “I got more to prove” in a picture of him and linebackers coach Seth Wallace. His photo caption read “Run It Back.”

Higgins leads all players in Power Five conferences with 155 total tackles and 11.9 tackles per game this season. No. 20 Iowa (10-3) meets No. 25 Tennessee (8-4) in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day at noon on ABC. The game will feature Iowa’s vaunted defense against Tennessee’s high-scoring offense on Monday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

Higgins was a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and a second-team selection by the American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, The Associated Press and The Sporting News.

The 6-foot-2, 233-pound middle linebacker was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award as well in his first season as a starter. Higgins’ 155 tackles to this point are third-most in a single season in Hawkeye history, trailing Andre Jackson’s 171 in 1972, Abdul Hodge’s 158 in 2005 and Chad Greenway’s 156 in 2005.

Iowa is hopeful to welcome back fellow linebacker Nick Jackson, a Virginia transfer who has 99 tackles heading into the bowl game next week. A three-time all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, Jackson was granted an extra year of eligibility — should he choose to use it — on Christmas day.

“I have done nothing this Decembr but recruit the six guys on our roster to come back,” said Iowa director of recruiting Tyler Barnes. “They’re probably tired of hearing from me. It’s probably why they block my phone number at this point. Those are the priorities.”

Higgins and offensive lineman Nick DeJong have both decided to return for their extra years of eligibility. Defensive backs Cooper DeJean, Sebastian Castro, Jermari Harris and Quinn Schulte, and tight ends Luke Lachey and Erick All have not yet announced their intentions.