‘I’m just a rookie at the end of the day’: Jalen Royals looking to break through into the starting wide receiver group.

ST JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The energy Jalen Royals brings to training camp every day has been noticeable by coaches, fans and his colleagues on the field.

Even veterans like Juju Smith-Schuster have noticed the energy and the aura that Royals has around him at camp.

"I don't know if you guys know this, but when he's out there, he's aura farming," Smith-Schuster said.

The fourth-round pick out of Utah State was projected to go in the second round, but a foot injury in his senior season at Utah State made his draft stock plummet.

At Utah State, Royals proved to be a monster. In 2023, he was first team All Mountain West conference and ranked second in the entire nation with 15 receiving touchdowns and over 1,000 yards.

In 2024, he was still second-team All-Mountain West Conference despite his injury. Through seven games, Royals had six receiving touchdowns and 834 receiving yards. He was on pace to set a new career high for receiving yards in fewer games.

Royals has been showing out in camp, and his work has been showing. Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy said he doesn't make too many mistakes, which is rare in a rookie.

"He's a fast learner. He gets out there and doesn't make too many mistakes," Worthy said. "He's out there, he's playing well, and he's taking advantage of his opportunities."

Jalen Royals talked to the media for the first time on Sunday and said the biggest adjustment for him is adjusting to the pace of the NFL and how fast it is.

"Everything's a lot faster, quicker decisions," Royals said. " Getting up to speed with that is probably the biggest transition."

Adding to an already young receiver room, other receivers have nothing but praise for the rookie.

Rashee Rice said he's going to show out in his rookie year.

"He's learning really fast," Rice said. "He's going to be a dawg his rookie year for sure."

Juju Smith-Schuster noted that Royals is coachable and takes the time to soak up everything said to him.

"He's a guy that's going to show up every day and just work," Smith-Schuster said. "He's very coachable, he's a sponge."

With all the praise he receives from his teammates, Royals continues to stay humble.

"I'm still a rookie at the end of the day, so I'm just trying to learn everything," Royals said.

Jalen Royals shares a last name with the other major league team in Kansas City, the Kansas City Royals.

Royals said he's proud to embrace his last name for the fans, and called it "a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"I'm just trying to embrace my last name for this fan base, it's been pretty cool," Royals said. "It's once in a lifetime that everybody sees Royals on the back and playing for the Chiefs, it's great."

He's got the last name that was made for Kansas City, and the potential to be a solid option for Patrick Mahomes this season if he can continue his success into the preseason.

Royals is listed in the second-string wide receiver grouping with Juju Smith-Schuster and Skyy Moore. Given an already studded grouping, Royals will have to work even harder to break into the starting lineup.