kgun Posted March 11, 2006 Posted March 11, 2006 Notes: Prop 48 in 1997 but got the year back. Missed the start of the '98 season with a hernia. Came back to see action in the last nine games but did not catch a pass. Played in 10 games and started one at F-back in '99, when he had 19 catches for 143 yards and one touchdown. Started every game in 2000 and '01. Caught 22-340-5 in '00. In '01, numbers fell to 18-224-1 with Rohan Davey at quarterback. Davey threw more to his wide receivers and less to his tight end than Josh Booty. Was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference pick by the league's coaches and a second-team selection by the media in 2000. Was a second-team pick by the media in '01. Joined Louisiana State's basketball team but gave it up after playing in five games because of some foot problems and a lack of time to do what he had to do. Positives: Has the size to be a true tight end and the pass-catching skills to be an H-back. Adjusts to the ball well and can snatch the ball away from the frame of his body. Will make the sensational catch at times. Will catch over the middle. Is a good downfield blocker who also can be a pretty effective in-line blocker. Negatives: Has poor workout numbers and is not fluid. Has an almost stiff and awkward gait when he runs at times. Lacks great size and power for an in-line tight end. Is not an overpowering blocker. Gets jammed at the line and has trouble releasing quickly at times. Will lose his concentration at times and has more drops than he should have. Just average after the catch. Will run hard but is not at all elusive. Had a disappointing senior year. Summary: Lacks speed but has good hands, so how well he blocks and plays on special teams will be the key to him making it on the next level. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CNN: Two-year starter and All-Conference selection as a redshirt junior. Senior totals were 18/224/12.4/1 in 12 games after 22/340/15.5/5 the prior year. Complete tight end prospect effective both catching the ball and blocking. Breaks down well, strong at the point of attack and turns opposing lineman out run blocking, easily handling one-on-one assignments. Displays adequate footwork in pass protection, stays square and shows good arm punch. Patient, blocks with leverage and works well with his tackle. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage, adjusts to the errant throw and extends his hands, catching the ball away from his body. Finds the soft spot in the defense, comes back to the ball and makes himself an available target. Not quick off the snap into his blocks, lacks speed and as a pass catcher and best in the short to intermediate field as a receiver. Times poorly in the forty and does not play much faster. Could be a solid player for a team that does not want its tight end to make many plays down the field and asks him to play within himself. Lack of speed will most likely knock him out of the first day but could see significant action as a rookie and eventually break into a starting lineup. Early Fourth Round. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USA Today Positives: Huge target over the middle...Moves gracefully for a player his size...Bends his knees and keeps his feet moving while delivering punishing blocks for the ground game...Natural hands catcher who runs crisp underneath routes, using his arms properly to break tackles…Skilled at making the tough catches with defenders on him...Turns upfield in an instant after the catch...Sustains blocks in space and is very smooth firing low off the line, showing the speed to get to the second level to neutralize linebacker. Negatives: More comfortable blocking upfield rather than in-line, as he does not have the base and leg drive to sustain and "short arms" too much to gain leverage…Has a good short area burst, but labors to get into gear after the catch…His inability to get a solid hand jolt coming out of his snap causes him problems releasing vs. press coverage… Over-extends and lunges at blockers when asked to trap block…Has concentration lapses when working in traffic, dropping some easy passes. CAREER NOTES: Finished his career with 59 receptions for 707 yards (12.0 avg) and seven touchdowns while starting 24 of 42 games…His reception and yardage totals rank third in school history among tight ends while his seven scores rank second. PERSONAL: Graduated in August, 2001 with a degree in Kinesiology (2.4 grade point average)…Son of Annette and Robert Royal, Sr…Born Robert Shelton Royal, Jr., on 5/15/79 in New Orleans, Louisiana. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KFFL: Looking at Royal makes us wonder why this kid isn't great. He has all the tools, and looked great in about four games this year. If he finds the desire to be a great player, he very well could be a starter in time. Ranking: No. 83, 3rd Round.
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