In a fairly deep class of wide receiver prospects, Utah State’s Jalen Royals has seen his stock rise in recent months. Royals is an athletic receiver with the ability to turn any play into a touchdown. With a play style and body type similar to San Fransisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel, Royals has the potential to be an instant contributor in the NFL if he enters the right system.
Overview, Film Analysis, and 2025 Scouting Report of Utah State Wide Receiver Jalen Royals
Measurables
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 205
Player Background
Jalen Royals grew up in Powder Springs, Georgia, about 30 minutes outside of Atlanta. In high school, Royals was a multi-sport athlete. He competed in football, track and field, and basketball at Powder Springs High School. Royals did not have a recruitment ranking in high school, and he received no offers from D1 colleges. He played his freshman year at Georgia Military College before transferring to Utah State.
After failing to find his way onto the field consistently in his first season as an Aggie, Royals recorded over 1,000 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023. Royals was named a first-team All-Mountain West selection in his junior year. As a senior, Royals had his season cut short by a foot injury. Though he only played seven games in 2024, he managed to record 839 yards and six touchdowns.
Strengths
As a former track and field athlete, Jalen Royals is equipped with breakaway speed and explosiveness. He can explode out of cuts, especially on quick in-breaking routes. Though he primarily worked underneath opposing defenses, Royals can beat defenders over the top. Due to his strong base, he can work through the press and run routes through contact. He can play in the slot or on the boundary.
Jalen Royals is at his most dangerous with the ball in his hands. According to PFF, Royals averaged 7.9 yards after the catch per reception this season. He has the vision of a running back, able to play behind developing blocks. In the open field, Royals can make defenders miss at a high rate. Once he gets by one defender, he has the speed to outrun the rest of the defense.
Weaknesses
Within his ideal role, Jalen Royals does not show clear weaknesses. However, his role at the next level may be clearly defined. Royals has below-average height and arm length for the position. As a result, his catch radius is fairly limited He does not make contested catches at a high rate. Drops have not been a major issue for Royals, but his tape shows a couple of concentration drops. Due to his frame, Royals does not thrive on deep in-breaking routes. Though he is explosive coming out of his cuts, Royals is not a refined route runner. His weakness in route-running ability shows itself most when he breaks back towards the line of scrimmage.
Potential Team Fits
NFL Projection
Royals is an athletic receiver with a sturdy build. At his floor, he can be an effective gadget player for a team that already has a built-out receiving core. At his ceiling, Royals can be a low-end primary receiver or a high-end secondary receiver. He may be fairly limited in his usage due to his smaller frame, but NFL teams will not struggle to find a role for the 21-year-old.
Main Photo: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
