Two former Cyclones who led their team to a record-breaking season and were just simply living their college year in Ames are now playing in the big leagues. Houston Texans wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins didn’t just grow as athletes at Iowa State; they grew as people who built friendships, weathered hard seasons and created moments that will not only stay with them but also Cyclone Nation that stands behind them. Before being selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft with pick 79, Noel ended his career as a Cyclone with 2, 855 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. Higgins ended his career with 2, 166 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns before being drafted in the second round with pick number 34. Now, standing at the forefront of their NFL beginnings, the two former Cyclones look back on a place that shaped them far beyond football. Freshly graduated, freshly drafted and carrying hopes from families, friends, teammates and the community that watched them rise on their backs. Noel and Higgins reflect on how far they’ve come, and how much farther they hope to go. Noel and Higgins open up about the memories they shared on the gridiron, wearing cardinal and gold, the love the two hold for Cyclone Nation and the gratitude they share as they move to their new chapter in the NFL. What legacy do you hope you left at Iowa State, both on and off the field, for future Cyclones to follow? Noel: I hope I left a legacy of what hard work shows on and off the field, whether that’s going to class and getting my work done and doing it the right way. Then on the field, just leading by example, being a leader for my teammates and showing them that hard work takes you a long way. Higgins: Just really someone that went out there and gave my all. Was really a great player, but even off the field, someone that was a cool guy. Someone that always treated everyone with respect. Ultimately, just a cool guy in general. Is there a game or play at Iowa State that you still think about, maybe not just because of the stats but also because of what it meant? Noel: One play I would say is 2023, Kansas State snow game, Farmageddon, crazy game. It’s 3rd-and-15, 35-35, I go in motion and catch a little out route. Get a great block from Ben [Benjamin] Brahmer and the guys and scurry up the sideline. Eventually, that becomes the game-winning touchdown. Higgins: The quickest thing that just came to my head was when we played Utah my senior year. I think I got my 1, 000-yard [receiving] season that game. We have a teammate on the Texans that played for Utah [Junior Tafuna], so I just seen his locker. That’s what made me think of it. Just playing them and winning a close game. Is there anything you miss most about wearing an Iowa State jersey and playing at Jack Trice? Noel: Honestly, just everything that comes along with it. The fans, the atmosphere, the brotherhood and loyalty that resides there. Every day you step foot on that campus or in that facility, you feel the love and bond that everybody’s created. Higgins: First of all, I miss my No. 9. Right now, I got No. 81, so I miss my No. 9. But other than that, the fans, the type of energy they always brought to the stadium and really just going out there with my brothers. I love those guys at Iowa State, and just the atmosphere at Ames in general. How has the transition been from collegiate to professional football? Noel: The transition has actually, honestly, been good, because Iowa State prepared me very well. Obviously, there’s certain changes that you have to adjust to, but one thing that I learned from Iowa State is to hone in on your process and get that together because if you have a process and something that you know you need to do every day and get done every day, then it helps you continue to grow and get better. Higgins: I think the transition so far has been pretty smooth. I think, of course, whenever you jump another level, the talent increases and the guys are better in general, but I think the biggest thing at Iowa State that I learned and has helped me the most is being consistent and always making sure that I’m staying on my little details that are going to help me continue to play good throughout the season. What was it like to score your first NFL touchdown? Noel: It was surreal, honestly, to have a dream come true of scoring the first NFL touchdown and to be on the field with my guy Higgs [Higgins] is a blessing, honestly and something I’ll never forget. Higgins: It was awesome. It feels familiar because I feel like I scored a lot of touchdowns in college and all throughout my life. But definitely being on a new level is cool and [I’m] always looking to continue to score more. I believe this is the most NFL players Iowa State has ever had in the league at one time. How does it feel to be part of the group that really made that happen and have so many Cyclone teammates in the league? Noel: It feels great, and it’s great because we’re getting to represent what Iowa State stood for and get to represent the things that they taught us and the processes that they taught us. Not everybody gets to do this every day, so to be able to be on the field with two other Iowa State guys and to represent Iowa State is very cool. Higgins: I think it’s awesome, really. We played against the Ravens and played against a couple of teams, and being able to see those guys after the game and know that they were Iowa State alums also, it’s really cool. But I think Iowa State, of course, has really good players and it’s only going to continue to grow. How does it feel to have fans who have followed your journey since your very first college game to now? Noel: It’s an honor and a blessing, honestly. To have that support system and know that people are cheering me on and want the best for me. Higgins: It’s awesome. Even when me and Jaylin [Noel] went back to Iowa State, we had a whole bunch of people telling us, ‘Oh yeah, we’re going to watch the games,’ and everything like that. So, it’s really cool. I hope they continue to follow and continue to show love, and of course, I’m going to continue to follow Iowa State. I’ll always be a Cyclone. Is there anything you would like to say to the dedicated Cyclone fans, who have experienced the highs and lows of the 2025-26 football season? Noel: Just got to trust the process. Loyal sons forever true. So, if you trust the process and you stay loyal, then the game will help you back.
https://iowastatedaily.com/326938/sports/cyclones-forever-noel-and-higgins-reminisce-on-their-time-at-isu/
Cyclones forever: Noel and Higgins reminisce on their time at ISU
