Utah State football players take next step to NFL

Utah State’s football program is celebrating a successful NFL Draft season, with five former Aggies taking the next step in their football careers, including wide receiver Jalen Royals, who was selected in the fourth round of the draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Royals, the No. 133 overall pick, has become the first Aggie drafted since quarterback Jordan Love in 2020 and the highest-drafted USU wide receiver since Kevin Curtis in 2003. The Powder Springs, Georgia native capped off a stellar college career with 1,914 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns, ranking among the top receivers in Utah State history. 

Known for his explosive playmaking, Royals led the nation in 2023 with seven touchdown receptions of 50-plus yards. Despite a season-ending injury in 2024, he managed 834 receiving yards in just seven games. Royals is now the 124th Aggie to be drafted and the fourth to be picked by the Chiefs organization. 

In addition to Royals, four other former Aggies earned opportunities with NFL teams as undrafted free agents or rookie minicamp invitees: 

• Wyatt Bowles, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman, signed a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Bowles is a durable and versatile lineman who played over 1,500 snaps in college. Known for his footwork and balance, he has shown the ability to handle power rushers and move well in space.
   

• Jacob Garcia, a long snapper from Anaheim, California, received an invitation to the Miami Dolphins’ rookie minicamp. Garcia played in 52 games and was on the Wuerffel Trophy and Patrick Mannelly Award watch lists in 2024.
   

• Spencer Petras, who transferred to Utah State from Iowa, earned minicamp invites from both the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs. The veteran quarterback set multiple school records in 2024, including a single-game mark of 41 completions and a completion percentage that ranks first in school history.
   

• Kyrese White, wide receiver and special-teams contributor, was invited to the Denver Broncos’ rookie minicamp. White had 526 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his senior season and was able to showcase his explosiveness and all-purpose yardage.
   

Rookie minicamps are short, non-contact sessions held shortly after the draft, where teams evaluate newly drafted players, undrafted free agents and tryout invitees. For undrafted players, it’s a chance to prove they belong on the team’s 90-man offseason roster. For tryout players, it’s even tougher, as these athletes must immediately impress to earn a contract. 

While only Royals was drafted, all five Aggies now face the next challenge of NFL evaluation. For Bowles, Garcia, Petras and White, rookie minicamps offer a narrow but crucial opportunity to earn a roster spot. Each will need to shine in a compressed, competitive setting where quick learning and standout traits are key. 

As they begin their professional journeys, Utah State fans will be watching closely to see which Aggies can make the leap from Logan to the NFL spotlight.