JN #13

Jaylin Noel

Wide Receiver · Iowa State

A two-time All-Big 12 receiver from Iowa State who became a do-everything rookie for Houston, contributing as a pass-catcher and a return man.

Jaylin Noel spent four years at Iowa State building a reputation as a versatile weapon, then followed college teammate Jayden Higgins to Houston when the Texans drafted him in the third round in 2025. As a rookie he carved out a role as both a rotational receiver and a dangerous returner.

★ Two-time All-Big 12 receiver at Iowa State

★ Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Year (2024)

★ Over 1,100 combined return yards as an NFL rookie in 2025

Path to the league

Noel played four seasons at Iowa State from 2021 to 2024, appearing in 50 games with 33 starts and catching 245 passes for 2,855 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was a two-time All-Big 12 receiver and was named the conference's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year as a senior in 2024. The Texans drafted him in the third round (79th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, one round after taking fellow Iowa State receiver Jayden Higgins.

Career highlights

At 5-foot-10 and 196 pounds, Noel ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, testing as one of the fastest receivers in his draft class. His college special-teams production carried over as one of his clearest translatable skills at the next level.

2025 season recap

Noel played in all 17 regular-season games as a rookie, catching 26 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns on 35 targets while adding six carries for 12 yards. He also made a significant impact on special teams, racking up 799 kickoff return yards and 335 punt return yards to establish himself as a consistent all-around contributor.