Jaylin Noel

Jaylin Noel (born September 4, 2002) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones and was selected by the Texans in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Early life Noel was born on September 4, 2002 in Kansas City, Kansas. He started playing football in the second grade, where he was a quarterback, before making the switch to wide receiver two years later. He continued playing throughout middle school, afterwards, his mother, Deidre Cash, moved them to the Missouri side of Kansas City so Noel could play at Park Hill High School, a request she fulfilled after Noel begged her to do so. Noel attended Park Hill alongside fellow future NFL receiver Ronnie Bell in Kansas City, Missouri. As a junior, he recorded 42 receptions for 769 yards and nine touchdowns. A three-star recruit, Noel committed to play college football at Iowa State University, over offers from Nebraska, Kansas State, and Wisconsin.

College career In his first season, Noel tallied 39 catches for 269 yards. The following season against Texas, Noel scored his first career touchdown. In addition, against Baylor, Noel posted a then career-high 120 receiving yards. Noel finished his sophomore season with 60 receptions, 572 yards, and three touchdowns. His 60 receptions were tied for fourth most in the Big 12. As a junior, he recorded 66 receptions for 820 yards and seven touchdowns. Noel's senior year he was a standout for the Cyclones, tallying 80 receptions for 1,194 yards and 8 touchdowns while earning First Team All-Big 12 honors as a special teams player.

College statistics Year Team Games Receiving GP Rec Yards Avg TD 2021 Iowa State 13 39 269 6.9 0 2022 Iowa State 12 60 572 9.5 3 2023 Iowa State 12 66 820 12.4 7 2024 Iowa State 14 80 1,194 14.9 8Career 51 245 2,855 11.7 18

Professional career

Noel was selected in the third round with the 79th pick of the 2025 NFL draft by the Houston Texans. Noel was drafted with the pick that the Texans acquired from the Washington Commanders in a trade for Laremy Tunsil. As a rookie, he had 26 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns.