Joe Royer grew up in Cincinnati and signed initially with Ohio State out of high school. He spent his early collegiate years in Columbus, serving in a rotational role before transferring to Cincinnati for more opportunities and targets. After the transfer, Royer immediately became an offensive focal point for the Bearcats. He established himself as a reliable, high-volume receiver, totaling 937 yards and seven touchdowns over the last two years.

Royer already looks the part of an NFL tight end. At first glance, you'd think he's primarily in line. He has a muscular build but sometimes struggles with loose fundamentals out of eagerness. Once he runs a route, though, smooth athleticism proves he's more than that. He uses his long arms to snare balls away from his body. He's a fearless route runner who can elevate above defenders through traffic. He has great body control, which allows him to create after the catch by staying upright through contact. Royer isn't a pure burner, but his athleticism and contact balance will enable him to create chunk plays. Royer is a malleable prospect, and he's already shown promising traits in multiple facets of the game.