LOGAN, Utah – Utah State football’s Jalen Royals will not surprise their opponents in 2024 after the record-breaking wide receiver was named to the watch list for the 2024 Biletnikoff Award.
Established by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, the Biletnikoff Award is given annually to the nation’s top FBS receiver at each position. Any player who has caught a pass, regardless of position (wide receiver, running back, tight end and slot back), is eligible for the award. Fifty players were named to the preseason watch list.
RELATED: Rahsul Faison on Doak Walker watch list
𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋𝐒 🤝 𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐍𝐈𝐊𝐎𝐅𝐅@RoyalsJalen named after the @biletnikoffawrd Observation list.
➡️ https://t.co/mWqt5x3NdW pic.twitter.com/1CCgIz6W26
— USU Football (@USUFootball) 7 August 2024
The Royals are no stranger to preseason accolades, as the senior pass catcher was also named to the Maxwell Award watch list. The Royals were voted a preseason Phil Steele Fourth Team All-American and were named to the preseason Mountain West All-Conference team by Phil Steele (first team), Athlon Sports (first team) and MW Media.
The semifinalists will be announced on November 18 and whittled down to three finalists on November 26. The winner will be announced live at the Home Depot College Football Awards in December 2024.
RELATED: Jalen Royals Sets Utah State’s single-season touchdown record
About Jalen Royals
While playing football at Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, Royals had 26 catches for 455 yards and four touchdowns his senior year. His athleticism was evident on the track team, where he was an all-state high jumper and placed sixth at the state championships his senior year.
In 2021, Royals played his first season at Georgia Military College. In 11 games, he had seven catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
RELATED TOPICS: Utah State Football Announces Staff Additions and Title Changes
.@RoyalsJalen ➡️THIS GUY!
➡️ https://t.co/FvHWXkPqY7 pic.twitter.com/Atixs99C5S
— USU Football (@USUFootball) 5 August 2024
After the 2021 season, he signed with Utah State. The Royals played in 12 games for USU in 2022 without recording any statistics.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound wideout was named Third-Team All-American and First-Team All-Mountain West by the College Football Network after becoming the 39th player in school history to surpass 1,000 yards in pass receptions. He was the 13th player in program history to surpass 1,000 yards in a single season. His 1,080 yards and 71 receptions (15.2 ypr/83.1 ypg) are the 10th-best single-season totals in school history. The Royals’ 15 touchdowns were the eighth-most overall.
Follow USU with KSL Sports Zone
Utah State opens the 2024 season on Saturday, August 31 against Robert Morris at Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium. Kickoff time to be announced.
Stop USU Football KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard on the phone.
Here you can find KSL Sports’ coverage of Utah State University athletics.
Take us with you everywhere.
Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s leading sports provider. Stream live radio and video and stay up to date with all your favorite teams.
Brian Preece is a KSLsports.com insider covering the Utah State Aggies and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s coverage of the Bees, Big League Utah and Aggie Athletics here.
