Iowa State Prepares to Fill Key Receiver Roles for Upcoming Football Season

AMES, Iowa — As Iowa State prepares for the 2025 football season, the Cyclones are faced with the challenge of replacing star wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, who have departed for professional opportunities. Coach Matt Campbell, known for cultivating elite talent at the wide receiver position, remains optimistic about the future.

In his eight seasons at the helm, all but two have featured a standout wide receiver, including names like Allen Lazard and Hakeem Butler. This trend has set high expectations for incoming players, particularly with new additions Xavier Townsend from UCF and Chase Sowell from East Carolina.

“We have at least recruited to a model at the receiver position that we know what’s being asked of each position,” Campbell stated ahead of the spring practices. This established recruitment model has traditionally yielded All-Americans and NFL talent, leading many to presume that the Cyclones will once again produce top-tier receivers without much concern.

However, the road ahead will require significant effort. Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser emphasized that the standard for performance does not waver amidst transitions. “There is patience that comes with it, but the standard is the standard,” he said. “It’s not going to get lowered because there’s new people or freshmen.”

Both Townsend and Sowell have shown a strong commitment to their training, often being the last to leave practice. “I’ve seen that the past couple of months. They’re always the last ones in there. They always want extra work,” said quarterback T.J. Becht of his new teammates.

Townsend, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound receiver from Tampa, and Sowell, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound target from Houston, now find themselves in a promising situation. Under Becht’s leadership, the Cyclones’ offense is known for its adaptability to showcase diverse skill sets from receivers, whether they are speed-based or larger players bringing physical presence.

“You’re never going to replace a Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel,” said quarterbacks coach Jake Waters. “But now, we have to find ways to get guys in similar positions to see if they can go make a play and spread it out too.”

Becht and the two incoming receivers are not only working to build chemistry this spring; they hope to establish the trust that was pivotal in last year’s success. “They’re kind of a security blanket for you,” Waters explained about the previous duo. “When you might not get the right look, you know you could always get it to one of those two.”

Townsend acknowledged the legacy left by Higgins and Noel, stating, “Obviously, everybody wants to help the team and to continue on, so we know we have to make that step together.”

While enthusiasm runs high, the reality is that trust and timing can’t be rushed. The trio is working diligently to develop their on-field connection, acknowledging that the groundwork laid in practice will be crucial for the coming season.

Despite the uncertainties, Campbell is confident in the potential of his new receivers. “We’re going to take it really slow and right by really starting fundamentally at our best,” he affirmed. With a focus on hard work, the Cyclones aim to convert their potential into performance come fall.

Travis Hines, a seasoned Iowa State columnist for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune since 2012, can be contacted at (515) 284-8000 or on X at @TravisHines21.