The Denver Broncos on Thursday signed wide receiver Eddie Royal, whom they selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft from Virginia Tech University. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Royal (5-foot-10, 182 pounds) finished his four-year career at Virginia Tech as its all-time leader in career all-purpose yards, totaling 4,686 in 51 career games (44 starts). He ranks fourth in Hokies history in career receptions (119), fifth in receiving touchdowns (12) and sixth in receiving yards (1,778) while also setting an Atlantic Coast Conference career record with 1,296 punt return yards.
In 2007, Royal was named a first-team All-ACC selection after posting a career-high 33 receptions for 496 yards with four touchdowns in 13 games (11 starts). He also led his conference and ranked 10th in the nation with a 14.7-yard punt return average and scored twice on punt returns.
The wide receiver was a second-team all-conference choice as a junior, appearing in 13 games (9 starts) and catching 31 passes for 497 yards (16.0 avg.) with three touchdowns. He averaged an ACC-best 13.2 yards on punt returns and added one punt return score.
A SuperPrep All-American at Westfield High School in Chantilly, Va., Eddie Royal was born on May 21, 1986.
With Royal's signing, the Broncos have signed eight of their nine selections from the 2008 NFL Draft.