116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel picked by Texans in third round of 2025 NFL Draft
Noel is third Cyclone player, second at wide receiver to be picked
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
IOWA CITY — Another Cyclone wide receiver is off the board.
The Houston Texans selected Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel with the 79th overall pick in the third round of the NFL draft.
He is the third Cyclone to hear his name called at this year’s draft in Green Bay, Wis., joining fellow wide receiver Jayden Higgins (No. 34 overall pick) — also drafted by Houston — and defensive back Darien Porter (No. 68 overall pick).
It is the first time since 1974 in which multiple Iowa State wide receivers have been drafted in the same year.
Noel had a career-high 80 receptions for 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns for Iowa State in 2024. The Kansas City, Mo., native helped his case at this year’s NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. His 41.5-inch vertical jump, 134-inch broad jump and 23 bench reps were the best among wide receivers in Indianapolis.
Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com
Sign up for our curated Iowa Hawkeyes athletics newsletter at thegazette.com/hawks.
Daily Newsletters