If you spent any time watching Big 12 football over the last few years, you saw #13 everywhere. Jaylin Noel wasn't just another receiver in the Iowa State rotation; he was basically the heartbeat of that offense. He was the guy who could take a five-yard hitch and turn it into a 50-yard highlight before the safety even realized he’d missed the tackle. Honestly, looking at the Jaylin Noel college stats, it’s kind of wild how much he improved every single season. Most guys plateau. Noel just kept climbing.
He finished his time in Ames as one of the most productive pass-catchers to ever wear the cardinal and gold. We're talking about a player who wrapped up his career with a reception in 46 consecutive games. That’s not just talent. That’s showing up every Saturday for four years straight and finding a way to get open. By the time he left for the Houston Texans in the 2025 NFL Draft, he had etched his name into the Iowa State record books next to guys like Allen Lazard and Todd Blythe.
Breaking Down the Jaylin Noel College Stats Year-by-Year
When Noel arrived from Kansas City as a three-star recruit out of Park Hill High School, people knew he was quick. But "quick" in high school and "quick" in the Big 12 are two different things. He had to prove he could handle the physicality.
His freshman year in 2021 was a solid introduction. He caught 39 passes for 269 yards. Zero touchdowns, sure, but he was mostly a volume guy underneath and a primary returner. He tied for the third-most catches by a freshman in school history. It was a start.
Then 2022 happened. This is where the Jaylin Noel college stats started to get interesting. He jumped to 60 receptions for 572 yards and 3 touchdowns. He finally found the end zone against Texas—a game where he actually put up 94 yards and two scores. He was becoming the security blanket for the quarterback.
The 2023 Junior Leap
By 2023, Noel was a co-captain and a legitimate threat. He wasn't just a slot guy anymore. He was taking the top off defenses.
- Receptions: 66
- Yards: 820
- Average: 12.4 yards per catch
- Touchdowns: 7
He had four different 50-yard touchdown catches that year. That tied a school record held by Hakeem Butler. He was also becoming a monster in the return game, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors. If you weren't paying attention yet, his senior year made it impossible to look away.
The Massive 2024 Senior Campaign
His final year was the masterpiece. If you look at the Jaylin Noel college stats for 2024, they look like a video game. He hauled in 80 receptions for 1,194 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Think about that for a second. That yardage total is the second-best single season in Iowa State history. Only Tracy Henderson had more in a single year. He was averaging nearly 15 yards every time he touched the ball. He wasn't just a possession receiver anymore; he was a deep-threat nightmare.
One game that stands out? Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium. Noel went off for 167 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches. He basically treated the Chiefs' home turf like his backyard. Then he followed it up in the Pop-Tarts Bowl with 117 yards against Miami. He always seemed to play his best when the lights were brightest.
More Than Just Receiving: The All-Purpose Machine
You can't talk about Noel without mentioning his special teams impact. The guy was a Swiss Army knife.
Across his four years, he racked up 4,226 all-purpose yards. That’s fourth all-time at ISU. He was a First-Team All-Big 12 selection as a returner in 2024 and even won Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Year. He returned 53 punts for 466 yards and 37 kicks for 821 yards in his career.
Basically, if the ball was in the air, Matt Campbell wanted Jaylin Noel to be the one catching it.
Career Totals at a Glance
For those who just want the raw numbers, here is the final tally of his 51-game career:
- Total Receptions: 245 (2nd all-time at ISU)
- Total Receiving Yards: 2,855 (4th all-time at ISU)
- Total Receiving TDs: 18 (Tied for 4th all-time at ISU)
- Longest Catch: 82 yards
- Games with a Reception: 50 out of 51
Why NFL Scouts Loved These Numbers
The stats tell a story of a player who got bigger, faster, and more reliable every year. Scouts looked at that 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the Combine and realized the speed on tape was very real. But it was the 80 catches in 2024 that really sold him as a pro. It showed he could handle a heavy target share and still produce against elite coverage.
He wasn't the biggest guy on the field—measured at 5'10" and about 200 pounds—but his 23 reps on the bench press proved he had the "grown man strength" to survive the NFL.
What This Means for Your Dynasty Roster or Fandom
If you're tracking Noel because you're an Iowa State fan, you already know he's a legend. But if you're looking at the Jaylin Noel college stats for fantasy or draft purposes, the takeaway is clear: efficiency.
He didn't drop balls in 2024 like he did early in his career. He fixed his hands. He refined his routes. He became a technician. In the NFL, that translates to a long career as a high-end slot receiver or a versatile Z-receiver who can win on special teams immediately.
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Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the 2024 Kansas Game Tape: If you want to see Noel at his absolute peak, that's the one. His route running against man coverage was a clinic.
- Monitor His Special Teams Usage: In the pros, his path to early playing time is through those return stats we talked about.
- Check His "Success Rate" vs. Press: One of the few knocks on his college profile was handling physical corners. Watching how he adapts to NFL press will tell you if he becomes a star or just a solid contributor.
Noel left Iowa State as one of the most decorated players in program history. Whether it was the 75-yard bomb against Iowa or the consistent chain-moving catches on third down, he was the definition of "reliable." The stats are great, but the impact he had on the culture in Ames is what people will actually remember.