When the Kansas City Chiefs took a flyer on a kid from Logan, Utah, in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, most casual fans just saw another name on a ticker. They shouldn't have. Jalen Royals Utah State highlights are essentially a masterclass in how to embarrass defensive backs who think they have safety help.
Royals didn't just play for the Aggies; he practically re-wrote their record books in a span of about eighteen months.
Honestly, it’s one of those "how did everyone miss this?" stories. You’ve got a guy who went from zero scholarship offers out of high school to being the most dangerous deep threat in the Mountain West. Basically, if you weren't watching late-night Mountain West football in 2023 and 2024, you missed a guy who was averaging a touchdown nearly every time he sniffed the red zone.
From Zero Stars to Logan Legend
Jalen's path to the NFL wasn't exactly paved with gold. He was a "zero-star" recruit coming out of Hillgrove High School in Georgia. Think about that for a second. No big schools. No mid-majors. Not even a sniff from the local FCS programs.
He ended up at Georgia Military College, which is about as far from the glitz of the SEC as you can get. Most guys give up there. Jalen didn't. He put in the work, caught the eye of the Utah State staff at a summer camp, and ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash that basically forced them to give him a jersey.
The 2022 season was quiet. Like, "zero stats" quiet. He played in 12 games and didn't record a single catch. You'd think that would be the end of the story, right? Wrong.
The 2023 Breakout Year
In 2023, the light bulb didn't just turn on—it exploded. Royals finished that season with 71 catches for 1,080 yards. But here is the kicker: he caught 15 touchdowns. That broke a school record that had stood since 1990.
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- He led the nation with seven touchdown catches of 50-plus yards.
- He was the only FBS player with 70+ catches and 15+ scores that year.
- He earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors.
People started calling him a "YAC beast," and for good reason. He has this stocky, 6-foot, 205-pound frame that makes him look more like a running back once the ball is in his hands. He’s got these chunky legs that just bounce off arm tackles.
What Happened in 2024?
Going into his senior year, the hype was real. And for seven games, Jalen Royals Utah State was arguably the best receiver in the country. He was averaging 119.1 receiving yards per game. That’s insane production.
Then came the Boise State game.
Even though the Aggies lost, Royals was untouchable. He put up 211 receiving yards on nine catches. He had a 75-yard touchdown where he looked like he was playing at a different speed than everyone else on the field. He followed that up with 155 yards against UNLV and 188 yards against New Mexico.
The Injury That Changed the Draft
Late in that New Mexico game, disaster struck. It was a kickoff return, a "last-ditch" effort to win the game, and he rolled his ankle. It turned out to be a deltoid ligament injury—a nasty medial ankle sprain that ended his college career right then and there.
If he hadn't gotten hurt, we’re probably talking about a second-round pick. Instead, he slipped to the fourth round, pick 133, where the Kansas City Chiefs were more than happy to end his slide.
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Why Jalen Royals Utah State Fits the NFL
Scouts love his "late hands." That’s a technical way of saying he doesn't reach for the ball until the last possible second, so the defender doesn't know it's coming. It’s a veteran move that you don't usually see from guys coming out of the Mountain West.
There are some fair criticisms, sure. His route tree at Utah State was a bit limited—lots of hitches, go-routes, and bubbles. He didn't run a ton of complex digs or out-routes. But when you have a 4.42 official 40-time and 36-inch vertical, you can afford to learn the nuances later.
Honestly, his best comparison is someone like Amon-Ra St. Brown. He’s got that same "dog" in him, that willingness to block and the strength to win contested catches in the slot.
Career Stats at a Glance
For those who like the raw numbers, Royals finished his Utah State career with:
- 126 receptions
- 1,914 receiving yards
- 21 touchdowns (T-3rd all-time in school history)
- 8 games with over 100 yards
What Most People Get Wrong
People think because he’s from a smaller school, he’ll struggle with the speed of the NFL. But remember, he was burning Boise State and producing against Power 4 talent whenever he got the chance. His athleticism isn't "small school good"—it's "elite athlete" good.
He's also incredibly smart. He was an Academic All-Mountain West selection in 2022. You’re getting a guy who can actually digest an Andy Reid playbook, which is notoriously difficult for rookie receivers.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Dynasty Owners
If you're following Royals' transition to the pros or looking for what to watch next, keep these points in mind:
Watch the Slot Utilization While he played wide for 82% of his snaps in college, his build and toughness scream "NFL Power Slot." Watch how the Chiefs use him in "heavy" formations to create mismatches against slower linebackers.
Monitor the Ankle Recovery By his Pro Day in March 2025, he claimed to be 99% healthy. However, deltoid ligament injuries can sometimes lead to lingering stability issues. Check his training camp reports for any mention of "load management."
Look for Special Teams Impact Because he’s built like a tank and has return experience (averaging 20.4 yards per return at USU), he might earn his active roster spot on special teams before he becomes a consistent part of the passing rotation.
Deep Dynasty Stash If you’re in a fantasy football dynasty league, Royals is the perfect "taxi squad" candidate. He has the physical profile to be a WR2 in a high-powered offense, but he’ll likely start behind established veterans while he masters the full route tree.
Jalen Royals is the quintessential "overlooked" prospect. He’s a guy who had to prove himself at every single level, from junior college to the Senior Bowl. If history is any indication, he’s going to make a lot of NFL defensive coordinators regret not looking closer at the tape from Logan.