Jared Larson
Jayden Higgins was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The 2025 NFL Draft was a historic one for Iowa State football, with four Cyclones selected in the first four rounds — marking the program’s most successful early-round draft class ever.
Leading the way was wide receiver Jayden Higgins, who went 34th overall to the Houston Texans in the second round. Higgins, a former Eastern Kentucky transfer, made a major impact in Ames last season with 87 catches for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns.
Higgins was quickly followed by defensive back Darien Porter, who was picked in the third round (68th overall) by the Las Vegas Raiders. A converted wide receiver with blazing speed and special teams value, Porter stood out with elite athleticism and versatility.
Just 11 picks later, fellow wideout Jaylin Noel joined Higgins in Houston, giving the Texans two of Iowa State’s top offensive weapons.
Offensive tackle Jalen Travis rounded out the group, going in the fourth round (127th overall) to the Indianapolis Colts. The towering Princeton transfer was a steady presence on the Cyclones’ line, allowing just one sack in 475 pass snaps.
Beyond the draft, five Iowa State players signed as undrafted free agents:
Jarrod Hufford, a durable and experienced offensive lineman, joined the Las Vegas Raiders.
Tight end/fullback Stevo Klotz and cornerback Myles Purchase both landed with the Los Angeles Chargers, giving them proven contributors on both sides of the ball.
Defensive lineman J.R. Singleton signed with the Seattle Seahawks after a strong senior season as a team captain and All-Big 12 honoree.
Safety Malik Verdon, a playmaker in the Cyclone secondary, signed with the Atlanta Falcons after earning second-team All-Big 12 honors.
Altogether, nine Cyclones reached the NFL ranks in 2025, a testament to Iowa State’s continued development under head coach Matt Campbell and a sign of the program’s growing reputation for producing pro-ready talent.
Drafted
Jayden Higgins was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2025 NFL Draft. During his two seasons as a Cyclone, he recorded 140 receptions for 2,166 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2024, he earned Third-Team All-American honors and Second-Team All-Big 12 accolades, finishing the season with 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns. Higgins was also invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl where he caught a pass for a touchdown and participated in the NFL Draft Combine
Darien Porter was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round, 68th overall, of the 2025 NFL Draft. During his Cyclone career (2019-2024), he played in 64 games — the most in school history — recording 51 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and 3 interceptions. Notably, he blocked five kicks, including four punts and one field goal, becoming the first Cyclone in the Big 12 era to achieve this feat. In his senior season, he earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors and was named Co-Breakout Defensive Player of the Week by the East-West Shrine Bowl after recording two interceptions in a victory over Iowa.
Jaylin Noel was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round, 79th overall, of the 2025 NFL Draft. During Noel’s Cyclone career (2021-2024), he amassed 245 receptions (second in program history), 2,855 receiving yards (fourth), and 18 touchdowns (fourth). In his senior season, he recorded 80 receptions for 1,194 yards and 8 touchdowns, leading Iowa State to its first 11-win season in school history.
Jalen Travis was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round, 112th overall, of the 2025 NFL Draft. During his lone season as a Cyclone, he started 11 of 12 games at left tackle, earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors. He played a pivotal role in an offensive line that allowed just one sack in 475 pass snaps and helped the Cyclones rush for 27 touchdowns, tying for the fourth-most in program history. Travis’s performance contributed to Iowa State setting a school record with 435 points scored in the 2024 season.
Free agents
Jarrod Hufford signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2025. During his Cyclone career, he started the final 47 games of his tenure, showcasing remarkable versatility by playing all five positions on the offensive line. In his senior season, he moved to center and started every game on one of Iowa State’s most successful teams, paving the way for an offense that rushed for 27 touchdowns, the fourth-most in program history.
Stevo Klotz signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2025. During his Cyclone career (2020-2024), he played in 39 games, recording 15 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns. In his senior season, he earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors at fullback for the second consecutive year and served as one of Iowa State’s captains in three games.
Myles Purchase signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2025. During his Cyclone career (2021-2024), he played in 50 games, recording 64 solo tackles, 1 sack and 18 pass breakups.
Malik Verdon signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2025. Standing 6’4″ and weighing 220 pounds, Verdon showcased his versatility by excelling in multiple defensive back positions. In his senior season (2024), he earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors after leading the team with 76 tackles and contributing one sack, one interception, two forced fumbles, and five pass breakups.
J.R. Singleton signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2025. Singleton played in 49 games, starting 28, and concluded his career with 75 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and 15 quarterback hurries. In his senior season (2024), he was named a team co-captain and earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors after recording 32 tackles, including five for loss, and leading the team with a career-high four sacks.