Jaylin Noel takes questions from reporters at the NFL Combine. Photo Courtesy John McGlynn.
Iowa State has five players competing this weekend at the annual NFL Combine, with action beginning Friday for the group.
Wide receivers Jaylin Noel & Jayden Higgins, along with defensive backs Malik Verdon & Darien Porter as well as offensive lineman Jalen Travis are all in Indianapolis to showcase their skills.
Below is a compilation of everything that the players have said at the microphone, teams they’ve met with, measurements and more that will be updated throughout the weekend.
NFL Combine Schedule
Televised by NFL Network
Thurs. Feb. 27 | D-Line, Linebackers (2 p.m.)
Fri. Feb. 28 | D-backs, Tight Ends (2 p.m.)
Sat. Mar. 1 | QB’s, RB’s, WR’s (Noon)
Sun. Mar. 2 | O-Line (Noon)
Jayden Higgins, WR
Drill Numbers
40-yard: 4.47 (24th among WR)
Vertical: 39.0″ (18th overall, 6th among WR)
Broad Jump: 10’8″ (8th among WR)
3-cone:
20-yard shuttle:
Measurements
Height: 6-foot-4.1
Weight: 214
Arm length: 33 1/8′
Hand: 9 1/8″
Has met with: San Francisco, Houston
Noel showed out in his numbers – with his 41.50″ vertical ranking No. 2 out of everyone at the Combine and No. 1 amongst receivers.
.@CycloneFB WR Jaylin Noel has HOPS 🐇
41.50” vert
📺: 2025 #NFLCombine on NFL Network
📱: Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/GbZpRPN0Jd— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 1, 2025
These Iowa State WRs are FREAKS
Jaylin Noel runs a 4.39🌪️
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 1, 2025
Higgins told reporters that he caught 100 balls on the JUGS machine after practice every day.
“I’m a big red-zone threat,” Higgins said. “If somebody needs someone to go score, that’s me.”
“Just being able to move like a smaller receiver,” Higgins said. “I can play inside and out.”
Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins met formally with the 49ers. Big WR at 6’4’’, 215 lbs.
He said he loves run blocking, which is something Iowa State WR coach Noah Pauley instilled in him and taught.
Of note, the 49ers interviewed Pauley for their offensive coordinator position.… pic.twitter.com/Nym1A3rChJ
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) February 28, 2025
Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins on QB Rocco Becht and ISU’a culture under Matt Campbell. pic.twitter.com/dgLsXNWqRz
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) February 28, 2025
Culture is everything.
🌪️🚨🌪️ pic.twitter.com/3p6bvv1Fgy
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) February 28, 2025
Jaylin Noel, WR
Drill Numbers
40-yard: 4.39 (21st overall, 10th among WR)
Vertical: 41.50″ (2nd overall, 1st among WR)
Broad Jump: 11’2″ (3rd overall, 1st among WR)
3-cone: 6.82 (9th overall, 6th among WR)
20-yard shuttle: 4.17 (8th overall, 5th among WR)
Bench: 23 (22nd overall, 1st among WR)
Measurements
Height: 5-foot-10.2
Weight: 194
Arm length: 29 1/2′
Hand: 8.75″
Has met with: Washington, Seattle, Houston, and New England
“You’ve got to move edges,” Noel said on how he performs as an undersized receiver. “Making them [DBs] feel uncomfortable. Changing in tempo — being able to decelerate and accelerate very fast.”
Noel also mentioned the Cy-Hawk catch as one of his favorite plays as a Cyclone.
Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel talks about his favorite catches, best traits pic.twitter.com/E0jywkXJYN
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) February 28, 2025
WR Jaylin Noel on playing bigger than his size suggests pic.twitter.com/2iJuEtVm9z
— Damon Wolfe (@NFLinMotion) February 28, 2025
Darien Porter, DB
Drill Numbers
40-yard: 4.3 (3rd overall, 1st among CB)
Vertical: 36.5 (9th among CB)
Broad Jump: 10’11” (8th overall, 2nd among CB)
3-cone: 6.71 (2nd overall, 1st among CB)
20-yard shuttle: 4.04 (2nd overall, 1st among CB)
Measurements
Height: 6-foot-2.7
Weight: 195
Arm length: 33 1/8′
Hand: 9″
Saturday update: Porter’s impressive numbers continued Sunday, when he brought home the fastest 3-cone drill time and second-fastest shuttle run.
Has met with: Pittsburgh, Chicago, Denver, Carolina, Kansas City, Atlanta, Detroit
Friday update 2: Porter’s drill numbers scored as the No. 4 rated cornerback in NFL history going back to 1987 by the R.A.S. fomat.
It ranks athletes by numbers comparative to athletes in the current combine as well as in the past.
Darien Porter is a CB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.99 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 4 out of 2480 CB from 1987 to 2025.
Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/9F2apiSBbk pic.twitter.com/0mBcTgWh87
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) February 28, 2025
Keep in mind former Iowa State running backs coach Tyler Roehl is with Detroit now.
Porter told reporters that he has goals of being the fastest runner of anyone at the Combine in the 40-yard dash this week.
Darien Porter opened up talking about improving his press man coverage this past season with his length and height, he wants to get better in that regard. He mentioned his football IQ not being an issue for his transition and it shows on his film. Intriguing prospect pic.twitter.com/C5cBlCRvqZ
— Daniel Harms (@InHarmsWay19) February 27, 2025
Then he put down a 4.3.
Darien Porter just ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash. pic.twitter.com/JD2D56at31
— CycloneFanatic.com (@cyclonefanatic) February 28, 2025
Asked Iowa State CB Darien Porter about chasing down Kaleb Johnson against Iowa: “I don’t take anything for granted. I give it my all on every play.”
On his 40: “Just know it’s going to be fast.” pic.twitter.com/DHUPI9bti5
— Bradley Locker (@Bradley_Locker) February 27, 2025
Malik Verdon, DB
Drill Numbers
40-yard:
Vertical:
Broad Jump:
3-cone: 7.06
20-yard shuttle: 4.34
Measurements
Height: 6-foot-3.5
Weight: 218
Arm length: 32 1/4″
Hand: 9 1/2″
Has met with: Las Vegas Raiders
Won’t find many safeties like @Malik_Verdon‼️
📺 #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/Wcz1aKlt0j
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) March 1, 2025
Safety 3-cone results:
6.72 Hunter Wohler (elite time for a safety)
6.81 Kitan Crawford
7.06 Malik Verdon
7.09 Dante Trader Jr.
7.10 Rayuan Lane III
7.26 Malaki Starkts— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 1, 2025
Iowa State safety Malik Verdon was asked which ISU freshman he would “bet” a paycheck would end up in the NFL. I don’t think the person asking the question knew the history of using that word. But Malik handled it well. pic.twitter.com/YcfQdFtpCM
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) February 27, 2025
He later amended his choice, to mention his little brother Trey, who’s now playing for Iowa State.
Let me add my brother Trey to that list!😂My fault lil bro, completely forgot you fully a cyclone now. Doesn’t seem real😂❤️ https://t.co/OYKytRUSRz
— ♛Leek♛ (@Malik_Verdon) February 27, 2025
Jalen Travis, OL
Prepared every day for moments like this‼️
📺 #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork https://t.co/kiyJSCAiFT pic.twitter.com/XpH3i2PFrD
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) March 1, 2025
Travis won’t compete until Sunday, but offensive line coach Ryan Clanton will be in attendance to see all the former Cyclones go.
Morning WORK with the DOGS @CycloneFB
GET TO talk some ball in Chicago today @GlazierClinics
SPRINT to Indianapolis to watch our guys put on a show!!! @TravisWJalen @NoelJaylin13 @JaydenHiggins3 @DarienPorter10 @Malik_Verdon
— Ryan Clanton (@RyanClanton) February 28, 2025
