For the second time Friday night, the Texans picked a wide receiver from Iowa State.
Houston used its first third round selection--the 79th overall pick--on Jaylin Noel. A round earlier, the Texans began the evening by taking Noel's Cyclone teammate, Jayden Higgins.
Noel caught 80 passes for 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024 at Iowa State. He was also a standout return man for the Cyclones, averaging 15.3 yards per return. He was named the Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Year in 2024.
After seeing his teammate go to Houston earlier in the evening, Noel didn't expect to be Houston-bound as well.
"I was surprised," Noel said. "But they've seen that 1-2 punch all year. They're going to be very happy with those selections for sure."
Noel is 5-10, weighs 196 pounds, and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds. In four seasons with Iowa State, he caught a combined 18 touchdown passes and averaged 11.7 receiving yards per catch.
He described who he is as a football player.
"Very explosive," Noel said. "Big playmaker. High IQ player. I know where I'm at on the field at all times, and I know what coverages I'm getting. I'm very good in the special teams area as a punt returner, kick returner. Just a willing player. I love the game and I give my all every time I step on the field."
Noel joins Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson as the third Iowa State Cyclone in the Texans wide receiver room.
