Jaylin Noel couldn’t hold back his emotions on Friday, April 25, when he picked up the phone and heard Houston Texans executive vice president and general manager Nick Caserio on the line.
It was the moment Noel had been anxiously awaiting the news that the Texans were selecting him in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
“It was surreal,” Noel said. “As a little kid, you dream of that call. Just to hear him say how excited they were to be able to draft me; to be there at that position and that pick meant a lot to me. For a team to draft you in the third round, they trust in your ability and have a plan for you when you come in.”
Shortly after receiving the call, NFL chief administrative officer Dawn Aponte stepped onto the stage in Green Bay to officially announce the pick: Jaylin Noel, 79th overall in the third round. The celebrations officially began, alongside his family back home in Kansas City.
“It meant everything to me,” Noel said. “Knowing all the hard work I’ve put in since I was little. It really brought out a lot of emotions. It was a very cool moment to be able to share with my family.”
A 2021 graduate of Park Hill High School, Noel gradually built an outstanding collegiate career over four seasons at Iowa State, ending his senior year with his first 1,000-yard season as a Cyclone. The 5-foot- 10 Kansas City native tallied 2,855 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in college, helping the Cyclones to three bowl appearances before capping his career with a thrilling 42-41 win over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. In that game, Noel starred with 117 receiving yards and a touchdown, outdueling No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.
Serving as a captain during his junior and senior years, Noel earned Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Year honors in 2024. He was a first-team all-conference selection as a return specialist and also collected second-team All-Big 12 honors at wide receiver in 2023, followed by an honorable mention nod in 2024.
ANDY STUBBLEFIELD/Contributed Photo
Jaylin Noel in an Iowa State road victory against West Virginia on October 12, 2024.
Speaking in a press conference after Day 2 of the draft, Caserio praised Noel’s speed, toughness, and character. He emphasized the Texans’ excitement to add him to both the offense and special teams units.
“We got some feedback from other teams, unsolicited,” Caserio said. “He’s one of the best 30-man visits that they had. It speaks to who Jaylin is. You get him on the phone and tell him about the pick; he’s crying because he pours so much into it. He cares a lot.”
Out of high school, Noel was ranked as the No. 87 wide receiver in the nation. As a senior at Park Hill, he posted 68 receptions for 1,005 yards and 10 touchdowns to earn all-state honors after helping lead the Trojans to a district championship as a freshman.
He became just the third Park Hill alum ever drafted with his third-round selection, joining Ronnie Bell (7th round, 2023) and Mike Fink (9th round, 1973). Noel described Bell as a personal mentor whom he still talks to.
“It’s super cool,” Noel said. “To just know that we both come from Park Hill and be able to represent Park Hill, to be role models to the kids their is very cool.”
Citizen Photo
Jaylin Noel in a 45-17 win against Lee’s Summit on September 25, 2020.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans also expressed excitement about reuniting Noel with his Iowa State teammate, wide receiver Jayden Higgins, Houston’s second-round pick. Ryans envisions Noel stretching the field for quarterback C.J. Stroud — the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year — while Higgins provides a big target on the outside.
“Terrific men, first and foremost,” Ryans said of Noel and Higgins. “Two different guys with playmaking ability. Jaylin’s ability to stretch the field and the deep part of the field. Then you have Jayden, a big target, similar to Nico (Collins).”
“It helps a lot when your going to a different state and city that you’ve never been to before,” Noel said. “To be able to continue the duo that me and Jayden had in college is very cool. We’ll be able to help each other with offensive install and experience our rookie years together; grow through the league together.”
Houston enters the 2025 season hunting for a third consecutive AFC East title. Noel likes the love and motivation Ryans brings to the game and the opportunity to grow alongside a rising star like Stroud with first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley.
Noel, a former all-conference track star at Park Hill in sprints and high jump, impressed scouts at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, leaping 41.5 inches in the vertical jump and posting an 11-foot-2 broad jump — both best among all receivers. He also ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.39 seconds, ranking in the top 10 at his position.
After four years in the Big 12, Noel also enjoyed the chance to compete against some elite players outside the Big 12 realm in the Senior Bowl and the opportunity to speak with NFL coaches, picking their brains on how the NFL operates.
Noel wasn’t the only Kansas City-area native drafted to the Texans. They also drafted Blue Valley North graduate Graham Mertz out of the University of Florida, who was coached by current Park Hill head coach Andy Sims.
Noel had caught from Mertz once previously, but they got together on a call shortly after the draft with plans to get together more regularly. They also report to Houston next week for a post-draft rookie minicamp.
As the Kansas City duo begin their NFL journeys away from home, one game in particular will likely stand out: the Texans’ trip to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs — a homecoming they will surely have circled on their calendars once that date is announced.
“It will be great,” Noel said. “To be able to actually be on an NFL team in that stadium, playing a very meaningful game against a team I grew up watching. It will be super cool and a surreal moment for sure.”