The Bucs are in the midst of another offensive coordinator search, having interviewed plenty of young offensive minds to take over the play-calling duties next season.
One candidate for the role is Nate Scheelhaase, who blends youth with experience as he called plays at Iowa State in 2023 as the offensive coordinator before heading to the Rams as an offensive assistant and passing game specialist.
Despite leaving the Cyclones, wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins praised his work at the Senior Bowl and the value he would bring to any team that gave him a promotion.
Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel: Nate Scheelhaase Is “A Guy You Want To Be Around”
Rams offensive assistant/passing game specialist Nate Scheelhaase – Photo by: USA Today
Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel is someone who in his own right could be of interest to the Bucs as they could look to round out the room in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Noel had a productive career with the program and ended his time there with his best season in 2024. In 14 games, the 5-foot-9, 196-pound receiver had 80 receptions for 1,194 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
It came after improving each season under Nate Scheelhaase, who was his wide receivers coach in 2021 and 2022 before becoming his offensive coordinator in 2023. Reflecting on that time and what kind of person Scheelhaase is, it is no surprise that he is highly thought of and has received offensive coordinator interviews at the NFL level with the Bucs and Jaguars.
“He’s just a great guy,” Noel said. “A guy you want to be around, he comes into work every day with a positive attitude and it doesn’t change. I would also say he’s a connector. He connects players, making guys want to play for him each Saturday and put everything on the line.
Rams head coach Sean McVay only brings in the best and brightest minds to coach under him, and this past season, Scheelhaase worked as his play-drawer.
Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel – Photo by: USA Today
Noel went on to discuss how his football acumen is off the charts.
“Then just his IQ of the game,” Noel added. “He’s one of the smartest coaches I’ve ever been around. Anybody, to be able to get him for offensive coordinator, is going to be very happy that they did.”
Scheelhaase bounced around in different offensive roles under head coach Matt Campbell after being hired as the running backs coach in 2018. He went on to become the wide receivers coach in 2019 and 2020, the running game coordinator/running backs/wide receivers coach in 2021 and 2022, before becoming the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2023.
All of the responsibilities he was entrusted with speak to the value the former college quarterback adds to that side of the football.
“It does,” Noel said. “To be able to know each position and understand each position really helps an offensive coordinator because he knows how to utilize his guys and play them to their strengths.”
Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins Chimes In About Nate Scheelhaase
Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins – Photo by: USA Today
Jaylin Noel had a lot of positive things to say about his former wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator, but he was not the only one. Cyclones wide receiver Jayden Higgins is also at the Senior Bowl, and while he spent just one year under the guidance of Nate Scheelhaase in 2023, one thing that stood out to him was unsurprisingly his football IQ.
“That guy, he’s amazing,” Higgins said. “I love Coach Scheelhaase, he’s a great person. He’s just super, super smart. Really prepared at all times and a good person, in general.”
Higgins spent two years at Iowa State, first recording 53 receptions for 983 receiving yards and six touchdowns under Scheelhaase. Like Noel, he elevated his play in his final year there, with those numbers jumping to 87 receptions for 1,183 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound receiver would be another big target for Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield should the team take a look at drafting him.
For now though, as the organization decides on who to hire as offensive coordinator, it’s promising to hear that one candidate is so highly thought of by the players he once coached.
