Three former Iowa State football players who stood out in Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season
Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season is in the books, and several former Iowa State football players had huge hands in the performances of their teams.
The collection of ex-Cyclones in the NFL continues to grow, with several more added to rosters this season after having around a dozen consistently active last season. While star-studded names like Breece Hall and David Montgomery dominate the alumni list, several others who Iowa State fans will recognize are making significant impacts at the pro level, too.
With that, here are three ex-Cyclones who stood out in Week 10 of the NFL season.
Breece Hall, New York Jets RB
Hall and the New York Jets have found a bit of footing after picking up their second win of the season, 27-20, over the Cleveland Browns.
The former Iowa State running back led the way as the Jets’ leading rusher and receiver, piling up 21 carries for 83 yards to go with a 42-yard TD reception. Hall’s score accounted for 78% of New York’s passing yards in the game.
Through nine games, Hall has 664 rushing yards, 220 receiving yards and three total TDs.
Will McDonald V, New York Jets DE
What a day for McDonald and the Jets defense in toppling the Cleveland Browns.
Four of McDonald’s five tackles went for sacks, along with another quarterback hit on Browns’ signal caller Dillon Gabriel. In doing so, the former Iowa State defensive standout tied a franchise record for sacks in a game.
McDonald and the Jets will look to make it three straight wins in Week 11 at New England.
Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans WR
What a whirlwind day for everyone on the Texans, as Houston rallied for a 36-29 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars that featured 26 fourth-quarter points.
Higgins was right in the middle of the rally, hauling in five catches for 42 yards and a 12-yard TD early in the fourth quarter. Higgins’ grab sliced the deficit to 29-18, and the comeback was on.
Even with backup Davis Mills under center, Higgins still found a way to be productive. He and his Texans teammates will look to get back to .500 in Week 11 at Tennessee
