Iowa State Football

HEIGHT: 5'10"

WEIGHT: 196

HAND: 8½"

ARM: 30⅛"

WINGSPAN: 72½"

---

POSITIVES

— Quick-footed receiver who can freeze defensive backs in their tracks at LOS.

— Sharp planter/cutter at the top of his routes to pull away from the defender.

— Space creation artist; talented route runner and separator.

— Urgent burst and acceleration off the line of scrimmage.

---

NEGATIVES

— Dealt with nagging drops throughout career.

— Limited catch radius to convert contested catches against long-limbed NFL CBs.

— Post-catch creativity, minimal yard after contact created.

— Against press coverage, he does not utilize his hands enough to disengage from CBs.

---

NOTES

— Born Sept. 4, 2002

— 3-Star recruit in 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: First-Team All-Big 12 (KR/PR); Co-Captain; Honorable Mention All-Big 12 WR

— 2023: Co-Captain; Second Team All-Big 12; Honorable Mention All-Big 12 KR/PR & Offensive POY

---

OVERALL

Jaylin Noel is a quick-footed route runner with sharp plants and cuts for ample separation.

Noel is a space-creating route runner with good suddenness at the top of his routes to separate quickly from man coverage. He uses quick footwork to freeze defenders at the line of scrimmage before getting vertical into his route. Noel's short-area quickness is a great asset to finding success as a quick game-winner—he can get to his spot quickly and be available for his QB.

If given a free release, he has an urgent burst off the ball to stem vertically and attack defensive backs. He sells those routes well without tipping his hand on when the break will come. Noel is a manipulative route runner with good stop-and-start ability. His double moves with sudden direction changes put defenders in conflict down the field.

Noel is an alignment versatile playmaker. Iowa State put him in numerous positions to attack opposing defenses. He has aligned in the slot, outside, and in the backfield with both static alignment and pre-snap motions.

Noel will benefit from adding better hand usage against handsy cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage. His footwork is on par with moving defenders off their spot and forcing them to open their hips, but he doesn't clear their hands from making contact. He will get tangled up and stuck trying to disengage, forcing the QB to look elsewhere due to disrupted route timing. I'd like to see more YAC from Noel. With his agility and quickness, you'd expect him to average more than four yards per reception after the catch.

Separation is pivotal to success for Noel's success. I am not sure his contested catch conversion rate translates to the NFL. Noel does not have a great catch radius or wingspan to out-battle NFL cornerbacks at the catch point. Drops have nagged Noel throughout his career. He has a drop rate of 7.2%

Jaylin Noel projects as a quick winning slot receiver and assumes the WR3 role in an NFL offense. The combination of route running, suddenness, and quick-twitch abilities make him a difficult cover out of the slot position. Noel is a reliable separator who can move the chains routinely. His ceiling may be capped due to limited physical tools and size.

---

GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter—Third Round)

OVERALL RANK: 65

POSITION RANK: WR10

PRO COMPARISON: Christian Kirk

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

---

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 214

HAND: 9⅛"

ARM: 33⅛"

WINGSPAN: 80"

---

POSITIVES

— High football IQ; can play all three wide receiver positions.

— Soft and reliable hands, rarely drops passes.

— Grass finder against zone coverages, identifies weak points in coverage.

— Winning contested catches with body position, late hands, and ball tracking.

---

NEGATIVES

— Will not wow anyone in a straight-line, adequate burst/acceleration.

— Release package against press alignment leaves a lot to be desired.

— Only an average run blocker for a receiver of his stature.

— Could be pigeonholed as a "Power Slot" receiver only at the next level.

---

NOTES

— Born December 15, 2002

— 2-Star recruit in 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: Second team All-Big 12

— 2023: Honorable Mention All-Big 12; Offensive Newcomer of the Year

---

OVERALL

Jayden Higgins is a tall possession receiver with a skill set built for creating quick separation.

Higgins is a leggy and long-limbed receiver with route salesmanship. He is good at pushing vertically using his entire frame; head down, arms pumping, and high knees to sell the vertical routes. This opens up inside, outside, and underneath route options. Higgins uses shoulder and head fakes to shake defensive backs in off-coverage. He has good short-area quickness for a receiver, and his build allows him to separate quickly in the short and intermediate areas of the defense. His footwork is effective for displacing a DB and opening his route path.

Higgins's game revolves around tempo, pacing, and leveraging. He stems routes to set up defenders vulnerable at the break point. The way he attacks leverages resembles a veteran receiver. He has a high football IQ and plays all three receiver positions at Iowa State.

Higgins is a talented contested catch receiver and ball tracker. He is savvy; staying patient and calm as the football is descending. His hands are soft and reliable to pluck the ball away from his frame. Higgins has excelled in contested catch situations his entire collegiate career. He is a good red-zone threat because of his height, wingspan, and timing. Tracks the ball calmly and poise while flashing late hands to make the catch.

Athleticism is where Higgins will not meet some NFL team standards. He lacks the explosiveness and twitch to threaten press-aligned defensive backs. To compound, Higgins's release package is slim. He does not have a wide variance of counters to handsy corners in the contact window. Higgins gets stuck fighting through contact before getting into his route. Due to his lack of straight-line speed could result in him being pigeonholed as a power slot. If he cannot consistently win on the outside and will need a two-way release point to succeed.

In conclusion, Jayden Higgins is a possession receiver who can align at the X, Z, and slot positions. Expectations would place him in the WR3/4 role with opportunities to climb the depth chart. His quick route-running abilities will fit well in a West Coast offensive system.

---

GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — Third Round)

OVERALL RANK: 76

POSITION RANK: WR12

PRO COMPARISON: Xavier Hutchinson

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

HEIGHT: 6'3"

WEIGHT: 195

HAND: 9"

ARM: 33¼"

WINGSPAN: 80"

---

40-YARD DASH: 4.30

3-CONE: 6.71

SHUTTLE: 4.04

VERTICAL: 36.5"

BROAD: 10'11"

---

POSITIVES

— Rare length and size for the cornerback position. Does a very good job of keeping his pad level low and shows good athletic ability for his size.

— Runs well downfield and shows a good burst once he transitions out of breaks.

— Does a good job of getting his head around to locate the ball. Attacks the ball in air and uses his length to high point the ball, while also showing the ball skills to capitalize on his opportunities.

— Good zone players who shows awareness of threats and plays with proper leverage. Quickly reads and reacts to the quarterback and ball.

— Good physicality in the run game. Shocks blockers and shows good security in tackling.

---

NEGATIVES

— Long strider with tight hips who struggles with change of direction in space. Shows ability to get out of initial break but due to length, he has difficulty constantly redirecting.

— Tightness can show up when tackling in space. He closes ground quickly but can be slow to break down and keep leverage on shiftier ball-carriers.

---

2024 STATISTICS

— 12 Games, 18 Tackles, 2 TFL, 3 INT, 5 PBU, 2 Blocks

---

NOTES

— Games Started: 36

— 3-Star recruit in the 2019 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: Honorable Mention All-Big 12 DB - Coaches

— 2023: Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee

— 2021, 2020: Second Team Academic All-Big 12

— Senior Bowl Invite

— High school track athlete. He also ran track in high school and broke the Iowa Class 4A state 400 meter record with a 46.99.

---

OVERALL

Darien Porter is a rare physical specimen at cornerback, boasting exceptional length and size for the position at 6'2", 197 pounds. His athletic profile and ability to utilize his size effectively make him a fascinating developmental prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. Porter has been a key contributor at Iowa State, showcasing a blend of physicality and coverage awareness.

Porter's size and length are his greatest assets in coverage, allowing him to disrupt passing lanes and high-point the ball effectively. He excels in zone coverage, where his awareness and leverage help him keep threats in front of him while reacting quickly to the quarterback's intentions. His long stride enables him to close ground effectively, particularly in vertical routes. However, his tight hips and limited change-of-direction ability make him vulnerable in man coverage, especially against quicker, more agile receivers. Porter's best fit is in zone-heavy schemes where he can keep his hips open and use his length and ball skills to his advantage.

Porter brings a physical edge to his run defense. He uses his length effectively to take on blockers, showing the ability to deliver a strong initial punch and disengage quickly. His secure tackling technique ensures that ball-carriers are brought down with minimal extra yardage, although his tight hips can occasionally limit his ability to consistently handle shiftier players in open space. Despite these limitations, his high motor and willingness to mix it up in the run game make him an asset closer to the line of scrimmage.

Darien Porter projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to develop into a specialized cornerback or in zone-heavy schemes. Porter's skill set translates well to defending against bigger receivers and providing additional support in the run game. His athletic traits and physical presence give him the potential to carve out a significant role in an NFL secondary, particularly in schemes that allow him to use his length and instincts to impact the game.

---

GRADE: 7.3 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 78

POSITION RANK: CB11

PRO COMPARISON: Ifeatu Melifonwu

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

---

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

Former Iowa State guard and current Indiana Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton dropped a meme with a lyric from rapper Bankroll Fresh's track "Take Over Your Trap" after the Cyclones football team defeated in-state rival (and host) Iowa 20-19 on Saturday.

pic.twitter.com/o4t0bofCbA

— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) September 7, 2024

Iowa State walked into Kinnick Stadium on Saturday and left with a victory after Kyle Konrady nailed a 54-yard field goal in the final seconds. Konrady also hit a 46-yarder earlier in the fourth quarter.

The Cyclones trailed 13-0 at halftime, but the pass game got going in the third quarter. Jayden Higgins caught a three-yard score from Rocco Becht, who later found Jaylin Noel for a 75-yarder later in the frame. In between, Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson scored on his second touchdown run.

However, Konrady got it done late, and the Cyclones upset the No. 19 Hawkeyes. That certainly made Haliburton happy, and now Iowa State rolls into next week with a 2-0 record.

As the 2024 season draws nearer, Iowa State surprised fans on Thursday by unveiling a new white jersey.

The Cyclones posted a video and picture on social media that gave fans their first look at the team's fourth jersey for the upcoming season:

The fourth jersey is here‼️

🌪️🚨🌪️ pic.twitter.com/cF5b3kpYeG

— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) June 20, 2024

Surprise‼️

🌪️🚨🌪️ pic.twitter.com/ZYHGpkM3wN

— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) June 20, 2024

Iowa State finished the 2023 season with a 7-6 overall record and a 6-3 record in the Big 12. The Cyclones lost to Liberty in the Autozone Liberty Bowl.

Last month, Iowa State revealed that it would have new jerseys in 2024 and released the first three new looks. The all-white jerseys are a reverse of the team's new black-top alternates.

The Cyclones will open the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31, at home against North Dakota.

Assistant Story County (Iowa) attorney Benjamin Matchan has filed a motion asking a judge to dismiss charges against four ex- or suspended Iowa State athletes who were among those criminally charged in the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation's sports gambling investigation, per ESPN News Services.

That news arrived Friday, a few days after attorneys representing ex-football players Isaiah Lee, Jirehl Brock and Eyioma Uwazurike and suspended wrestler Paniro Johnson filed a motion to suppress evidence.

That was in response to claims from attorneys representing Lee, which stated that DCI agents unlawfully monitored gambling activities through a warrantless search on the Iowa and ISU campuses, per the Daily Iowan.

Eric Olson of the Associated Press provided more details on that matter:

"In the motion to suppress, the defense alleges a special agent for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (Brian Sanger) violated the agency's limited-use agreement with a geofencing tracking firm when he used its software to locate places inside ISU athletic facilities where athletes were making wagers on mobile betting platforms. The agent later obtained account information from the platforms to identify the athletes and third parties whose credit cards were used.

"The motion contends use of the tracking software was unconstitutional because no warrant had been issued, and it noted that the software firm, GeoComply, cut off DCI's access to the tool last month because the user agreement was violated."

Lee's lawyers wrote the following, per the Daily Iowan: "[Sanger] initially used Kibana to place a warrantless GeoFence around a freshman/sophomore dorm at the University of Iowa to investigate underage gambling without any tips, complaints, or evidence that underage gambling was occurring."

In his motion, Matchan wrote the following: "Due to this newly discovered evidence, the State no longer believes further prosecution in this matter is in the interests of justice."

Per Olson, the aforementioned quartet was among about two dozen Iowa Hawkeye or ISU Cyclone athletes criminally charged last year of identity theft and tampering with records.

Of note, the athletes were said to have registered accounts on mobile sports betting sites under different names, some of whom were relatives, per Olson.

Attorneys representing four current or former Iowa State athletes charged with identify theft and tampering with records within the state's student-athlete illegal gambling investigation have filed a motion to suppress all evidence used against them, claiming it was gathered via an "illegal search and seizure."

Per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, the athletes involved in the motion are current ISU wrestler Paniro Johnson and ex-ISU football players Eyioma Uwazurike, Isaiah Lee and Jirehl Brock.

Their attorneys are accusing Iowa's Division of Criminal investigations of "misrepresenting the nature of its investigation and violating the terms of use for a software program used to capture online wagering inside Iowa State's athletic facilities," per Rittenberg.

Eric Olson of the Associated Press provided more details on that matter:

"In the motion to suppress, the defense alleges a special agent for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation violated the agency's limited-use agreement with a geofencing tracking firm when he used its software to locate places inside ISU athletic facilities where athletes were making wagers on mobile betting platforms. The agent later obtained account information from the platforms to identify the athletes and third parties whose credit cards were used.

"The motion contends use of the tracking software was unconstitutional because no warrant had been issued, and it noted that the software firm, GeoComply, cut off DCI's access to the tool last month because the user agreement was violated."

The tool in question is Kibana, "which shows gambling activity linked to cellphone locations," per Tyler Jett of the Des Moines Register, who added that the DCI agent (Bran Sanger) "testified in a January deposition that he did not apply for a search warrant before using Kibana," per the ISU athletes' attorneys.

Per Anna Kutz of weareiowa.com, over 20 athletes from Iowa or Iowa State have been accused of illegally gambling on college sports. Most charges were filed in August 2023, and many of the incidents involved current or ex-athletes allegedly using other peoples' accounts (e.g., a relative) to bet. Some of the allegations include underage betting or gambling on games that athletes participated in.

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 189

HAND: 9⅝"

ARM: 32⅛"

WINGSPAN: 78⅝"

---

40-YARD DASH: TBD

3-CONE: TBD

SHUTTLE: TBD

VERTICAL: TBD

BROAD: TBD

---

POSITIVES

— Has great size and length for the cornerback position. Has long arms and a thick frame with good functional strength.

— Loose hips to flip and run in press coverage. Does a very good job of sinking his hips and transitioning for his size. Has a very good burst out of his break and is able to accelerate quickly within a few steps.

— Plays with good positioning throughout the route. Uses his hands well to disrupt receivers and is able to get into the hip pocket.

— Good ball skills to judge trajectory and plays ball in the air with the necessary timing. Able to quickly close on the ball while in flight.

---

NEGATIVES

— Can be lazy with his pad level at times, leading to him getting stuck and struggling to quickly change direction.

— Good physicality when tackling but doesn't always wrap up and secure the tackle.

— Gambler who tends to take unnecessary risks on the ball, allowing bigger plays to come from what should be routine catches and tackles.

---

2023 STATISTICS

— 12 G, 44 TOT, 3.0 TFL, 2 INT, 7 PD

---

NOTES

— Born March 13, 2002

— 3-star prospect in 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 30 career starts

— 2022: Second-team All-Big-12 (Coaches)

---

OVERALL

T.J. Tampa is one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2024 draft class. The long-limbed athlete has great length and size for the cornerback position and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection by the conference's coaches in 2022.

As a bigger cornerback, Tampa shows great movement skills. He has the scheme flexibility to play in both man and zone coverages. When playing in man coverage, he often plays press, where he shows the ability to move his feet laterally to match releases and uses his length to disrupt receivers as they work downfield.

Tampa quickly gets into phase and does a very good job of sinking his hips to transition. He plays a bit too high at times, which causes him to be slower out of his breaks, but he generally he does a great job of bursting out of his breaks and driving on the ball.

When playing the ball, he has very good timing to play through the receiver's hands and has the ball skills to track and play the ball in the air. When in zone coverage, he does a great job of splitting his threats as well as anticipating potential threats coming into his zones.

When defending the run, Tampa uses his size to his advantage. As a bigger cornerback, he looks to deliver a big hit whenever he can, though there are times where he doesn't wrap up and allows extra yards. In the open field, he is generally a secure tackler and does a good job of getting the ball-carrier on the ground. Tampa does a great job of triggering to what he sees and using his physicality to take on and defeat blocks with the proper leverage.

Tampa has the size and playing style that NFL teams are looking for. Whether it's how he defends the run with his physicality and strength or how he uses his length in coverage, Tampa has a lot of upside. He will need to shore up his tackling and play with more consistent pad level, but it will not be surprising if he is selected early on Day 2 and works his way onto the field early in his NFL career.

---

GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 44

POSITION RANK: CB7

PRO COMPARISON: Ifeatu Melifonwu

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers was among five ISU or Iowa athletes to plead guilty to underage gambling on Wednesday following a state investigation into sports wagering.

Per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, the reduced charge of underage gambling carries a fine of $645 and the athletes won't face further criminal penalties.

Dekkers was joined by offensive lineman Jake Remsburg, former Iowa State player Dodge Sauser, former Iowa kicker Aaron Blom and former Iowa baseball player Gehrig Christensen in pleading guilty on Wednesday.

They had originally been charged with tampering with records, which is an aggravated misdemeanor that carried a maximum penalty of two years in prison.

"The original records tampering charge against these young men never fit this case, either legally or factually," attorney Mark Weinhardt, who represents Dekkers, Remsburg and Sauser, said in a statement. "Hunter, Jake, and Dodge are not and never were guilty of that charge. The charge has nothing to do with gambling. Other than the fact that Hunter, Jake, and Dodge placed some bets before they turned 21, nothing about those bets was a crime under Iowa law."

As part of the state investigation, over a dozen current or former Iowa State and Iowa athletes are facing charges of illegally gambling on games. Per Rittenberg, "Many have admitted to using online accounts belonging to their parents or others over 21 to place sports wagers." Also, several athletes were found to have violated NCAA rules by betting on games involving their teams, which could result in a permanent loss of eligibility.

Dekkers, who hasn't participated in team activities amid the probe, admitted to wagering $2,700 on events, including a football game when he was a member of the team. Remsburg is facing a six-game suspension from the NCAA, per Rittenberg, after admitting to wagering $1,108 on events, including six NCAA-sanctioned games.

Weinhardt noted that following Wednesday's guilty plea, the athletes can "focus on the educational and eligibility aspects of this matter."

Iowa State will go up against Iowa on Saturday. Both teams won their season openers last week.