When Robert Morris lost track of Jalen Royals during a game this past season, the Utah State star wide receiver made his opponent pay.
Royals began a play in the slot to the right as USU was at Robert Morris’ 26-yard line on first and 10. He pretended he was going to set up for a block against a defensive back across from him as a teammate went in motion behind the line of scrimmage.
That fooled defenders, making them believe the Aggies were about to run a screen. And that gave Royals the chance to drift upfield into a wide open space.
USU quarterback Bryson Barnes threw Royals’ way, though a little behind him but it didn’t end up mattering. Royals hauled in the pass and could see the end zone from there.
Though another defensive back was still in the way, but that too proved inconsequential. Royals bounced off the ensuing tackle attempt, maintained his balance along the right sideline, and shuffled past the goal line for a touchdown.
Royals’ playmaking abilities were evident during his career at Utah State. And now he may be looking at being picked in the first few rounds of the NFL Draft.
Jalen Royals NFL Mock Draft Projection In 2025
I project Jalen Royals will be selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
I expect teams have fallen in love with his tape despite his injury that prevented him from playing the final five games of the 2024 season. He is explosive, is a polished route-runner, and is spectacular in the open field. Finding wide receivers like him can prove to be tough, so even if he did go to a Mountain West school, his traits and resume are going to be difficult to ignore on Day 2.
What Was Jalen Royals’ 40 Time At The NFL Combine?
Jalen Royals ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds at the 2025 NFL Combine. That ranked 16th out of 39 wide receivers who participated.
He also ran the 20-yard shuttle in 4.39 seconds, which was fourth out of eight receivers, and completed 13 reps in the bench press, which ranked seventh out of eight in his position group.
Jalen Royals’ Height & Weight
Jalen Royals was measured at 6-foot, 205 pounds at the 2025 NFL Combine.
Jalen Royals’ Stats & Highlights
Jalen Royals was a Group of Five All-American and a two-time All-Mountain West selection during his career.
Royals ended his time at Utah State with 21 receiving touchdowns, which tied for third in program history, to go with 1,914 yards through the air, which is 12th all-time at USU, and 126 receptions, which is 16th. He’s also tied for fifth in the Aggies’ record books with eight 100-yard receiving games.
Royals’ numbers in 2024 were somehow still impressive despite the fact he only played in seven games due to a foot injury. He caught 55 passes for 834 yards and six touchdowns while returning nine kickoffs for 184 yards. One of his best performances from that campaign was against Boise State, which earned a bye in the College Football Playoff, where he caught nine passes for a career-high 211 yards and two touchdowns to go with 72 yards on four kick returns.
Royals’ best season from a numbers standpoint was in 2023. He set a school record with 15 touchdown catches, which ranked second in the FBS, while recording 71 receptions and 1,080 yards.
Royals, who’s from Powder Springs, Georgia, played in 12 games but didn’t catch any passes in 2022 at Utah State. Before that, he was at Georgia Military College in 2021 where he caught seven passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games.
Where Is Jalen Royals From?
Jalen Royals’ hometown is Powder Springs, Georgia. He played football at Hillgrove High School.
Jalen Royals’ NFL Comparison & 2025 NFL Draft Profile
I believe some elements of Jalen Royals’ game are comparable to Chris Godwin.
Godwin had had a phenomenal pro career after being drafted in the third round in 2017. I don’t expect Royals will have the same level of production, but they possess similar frames and can hurt a defense in myriad ways.
According to Pro Football Focus, Royals was among the top 30 receivers in the FBS who were targeted at least 30 times with 7.9 yards after catch per reception and 3.0 yards per route run in 2024. That’s despite missing that final stretch of games.
Royals’ numbers in 2023 were obviously even better. He tied for second in the nation with 17 contested catches behind only Rome Odunze, who was a top-10 overall draft pick a year ago. Royals was fourth in the country with a contested catch rate of 73.9%. Among FBS wideouts with at least 76 targets, he was in the top 30 in terms of average depth of target (13.2 yards).
What does all of that mean? Simply, Royals is a fantastic deep threat. He knows how to gain separation and often still caught passes even when defenders swarmed around him.
Royals has good footwork and showcased crisp route-running abilities. He also possesses good balance. That helps him make difficult catches, like when the ball is behind him, and it also helps him keep his feet when he’s hit. He’s also elusive in the open field, relying on his juke move to often evade potential tacklers.
With his skill set, it’s easy to see why he could be drafted in the first couple rounds.
