The 2025 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals plans on taking full advantage. Royals recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Royals also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his abilities as an explosive pass catcher, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Royals better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Jalen Royals: My wide receiver coach asked me to come to his office. He congratulated me and told me I got the invite to the Senior Bowl. I was really happy, cheesing, smiling. I’m more of a reserved kid, so they didn’t want to hand me the invite in front of the entire team. It was a personal moment between my receivers coach and I.
JM: That sounds like a special moment you two shared together. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Jalen Royals: I’ve seen a lot of guys thrive at the Senior Bowl. If you perform well in Mobile, it will raise your draft stock. I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to head down there and achieve the same.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Jalen Royals: I want them to realize that I belong. Just because I went to a small school, that doesn’t mean anything.
JM: It sounds like you’re heading to Mobile with a chip on your shoulder.
Jalen Royals: Yeah, for sure, I want to show them I can compete at the highest level. Coming from a G5 [Group of 5] school, I wasn’t playing against the best competition college football has to offer on a weekly basis, especially compared to the SEC or Big Ten. I’m definitely going to Mobile with a chip on my shoulder.
JM: How would you write your own scouting report? How would you self-scout yourself?
Jalen Royals: I’m a great catcher of the football. I’m great with the ball in space. I make plays on the ball. I have smooth releases off the line of scrimmage. Jalen Royals is just an all-around overall playmaker.
JM: Do you have a favorite route to run as a playmaker?
Jalen Royals: I like to run curl routes. If we’re talking quick game, it would be a slant to get me in space. If it’s a deep route, it would be the go or post route.
I like the curl route because I can get a good release. I snap that route off at the top and the defensive back is caught in a bind. It’s a complete route, a true route. I like the slant route in the quick game. I can make a move and showcase my abilities in space after I catch the ball.
JM: Do you see yourself playing both inside and outside at the next level? Or do you think there’s a role that fits you better, like maybe being the designated slot receiver?
Jalen Royals: I think I can play both. I’ve done a good job adapting to the slot role. I mostly played outside in college. I played a little slot when I was at JUCO. I think the slot position is going to be a good role for me at the next level. I’m used to playing outside though.
JM: Would you compare yourself to any wide receivers in the league right now? Who do you enjoy watching and learning from?
Jalen Royals: I watch a lot of Diontae Johnson. He was a small-school guy too, he went to Toledo. We have a lot in common from a size perspective. He’s a good receiver with a quick release. I think we have some similar qualities.
JM: Are you looking forward to swapping jerseys with anybody at the next level?
Jalen Royals: I would probably say Davante Adams, if I can get one. He’s my favorite receiver. If I can swap jerseys with him, that would be pretty cool.
JM: What’s on Jalen Royals’ pre-game playlist?
Jalen Royals: A lot of R&B (laughs). I’m more reserved. I don’t listen to a lot of that other music. I listen to Mary J. Blige and smooth R&B.
JM: This has been a lot of fun. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Jalen Royals?
Jalen Royals: It means I made myself proud in Mobile. I’m going to have a lot of fun. I’m not too worried about the outside noise or other people’s expectations. I’m going to come out and prove myself.
