Jalen Royals’ rise from Powder Springs, Georgia, to the national stage reflects the steady encouragement of his parents. Before shining at Utah State and emerging as a 2025 NFL Draft prospect, Royals built a strong athletic foundation at Hillgrove High School.
As a senior, he recorded multiple 100-yard receiving games, consistently producing more 50-plus yard receptions than games without them, despite averaging fewer than three catches per contest. Royals also excelled in track and field, earning all-state honors as a high jumper in Georgia’s competitive 7A classification and finishing sixth at the state championships.
Meet the Parents of Jalen Royals, Utah State’s Standout Wide Receiver
Jalen Royals, a top prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, credits his parents, DeAndre and Tiombe Royals, with much of his success.
His father, DeAndre Royals, originally from Detroit, Michigan, later settled in Powder Springs, Georgia. A graduate of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, DeAndre has built a career in youth development and the legal sector, working with the Remarkable Youth.
I am currently serving as a Judicial Expeditor at Fulton County Superior Court. DeAndre played a pivotal role in Jalen’s journey, even traveling with him to a Utah State summer football camp, which led to a scholarship offer and his college football career.
Tiombe Royals, Jalen’s mother, has remained a steadfast supporter throughout his athletic journey. Although less is publicly known about her career, her influence is evident in Jalen’s work ethic and dedication. All American nationals, the Royals family resides in Powder Springs, where Jalen attended Hillgrove High School and stood out in football, basketball, and track and field.
Despite being a three-sport athlete, Jalen was lightly recruited and opted to enroll at Georgia Military College in 2021. After participating in Utah State’s camp, he joined the Aggies in 2022. In his first season, he appeared in 12 games but had a minimal impact on offense.
Facing limited opportunities, the Royals considered giving up.
“Seeing that there are no offers and that things weren’t really going my way, you start to think that this might not work out,” Royals told the Deseret News.
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LSU, Florida State, several HBCUs, and Division II programs showed interest, but Royals chose to bet on himself at junior college. The move paid off. Across two seasons at Utah State, Royals hauled 126 receptions for 1,914 yards and 21 touchdowns, overcoming setbacks, including a foot injury, to become one of the 2025 draft’s top playmakers.
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