The buzz is back in Logan, Utah. And this time, it’s not about basketball or skiing—it’s about the NFL Draft. For the first time since Jordan Love’s first-round selection in 2020, Utah State has another NFL-caliber talent on deck. Wide receiver Jalen Royals has turned heads with a monster season: 126 receptions, 1,914 yards (a crisp 15.2 yards per catch), and 21 touchdowns. Naturally, fans are connecting the dots. Could Royals join his former college quarterback in Green Bay? Packers GM Brian Gutekunst holds the keys. But Jordan Love has already made his preference clear.
Speaking to Kay Adams on the April 17 episode of Up & Adams, Love was beaming with pride. “Being from Utah State myself, having a receiver like Jaylen Royals that, you know, has come out and made a name for himself—they’ve watched plenty of tape on him and probably already know that,” he said. “I would definitely take a fellow Aggie myself. So we’ll see what happens. I’m excited to see where he ends up.”
Royals isn’t just a feel-good story. He’s an athlete built for Sundays. At Utah State’s Pro Day on March 20, the receiver showed off his raw potential with a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, a 36-inch vertical, and a 10’1″ broad jump. Eighteen NFL teams sent reps to Logan for a closer look, while all 32 franchises got a preview at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
Image Credits: Social media, taken from Instagram @Jalen Royals
ESPN analyst Matt Bowen projected him as a Day 2 pick, while Matt Miller narrowed it down further—calling Royals a likely third-round selection. The WR’s speed and catch radius make him a tantalizing weapon for teams in need of a reliable vertical threat. And he’s soaking it all in. Royals has been in constant communication with NFL execs, saying they advised him to be “very detailed about the plans and strategies” going forward. He’s also been in close touch with Love.
When asked post–Pro Day whether the two had spoken, Royals confirmed: “I’ve talked to him several times.” And the advice? Simple, but solid.
“Just keep going, and whatever role I’m given in the next chapter, just embrace it,” Royals shared. There’s one shadow hanging over Royals’ draft stock—a nagging injury. Though he’s mostly recovered, soreness still creeps in occasionally. It’s not expected to be long-term, but teams will be watching his medicals closely. For now, the WR remains focused and optimistic about the journey ahead.
Meanwhile, Jordan Love is showering love on another footballer he wants back in the Packers locker room.
Jordan Love wants Jaire Alexander back
While he dreams of a reunion with Royals, Jordan Love has another priority on his mind: keeping cornerback Jaire Alexander in Green Bay. “He’s a guy we need around,” Love told Adams. “Locker room, he’s a character. That’s a guy you never know what you’re going to get. With Ja, he’s always a guy that interacts with everybody on the team. He jokes around, but he also has that serious side to him as a competitor.”
Alexander’s resume speaks volumes: 78 games (76 starts), 12 interceptions, 70 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, and 287 total tackles across seven seasons. But the last two years have been rough. A back injury in 2023 and a PCL issue in 2024 limited him to just seven games each season.
The Packers have made the playoffs in each of the past two years. If they’re serious about contending for a Super Bowl, they may want to start by listening to their QB1—who’s not only thinking about the future, but fiercely loyal to his past. Because even in April, the game never really cools off in Titletown.
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