5 things to know about Gulf Shores' Ronnie Royal

Five things you might not have known about Rivals' top all-purpose back in the nation

By Cole McNanna
Sports Editor
cole@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 7/29/22

Although many may know Ronnie Royal’s name and face, there are some things many more do not know about the Gulf Shores Dolphins’ rising junior.

Royal has already been known amongst …

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5 things to know about Gulf Shores' Ronnie Royal

Five things you might not have known about Rivals' top all-purpose back in the nation

Posted

Although many may know Ronnie Royal’s name and face, there are some things many more do not know about the Gulf Shores Dolphins’ rising junior.

Royal has already been known among college coaches with offers from Alabama A&M, Arkansas, Austin Peay, Coastal Carolina, Florida State, Georgia Southern, Mississippi State, South Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Troy, UAB and UCF.

He was in the spotlight earlier this summer when recruiting service Rivals ranked him the No. 1 all-purpose back in the nation and the No. 2 overall prospect in the state for the Class of 2024.

But what’s his favorite movie? What is on his pregame playlist? Here are five things to know about Gulf Shores’ Ronnie Royal.

  1. Running backs’ style he follows: Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley

With long dreadlocks, a downhill running style and the hands to be a receiving threat out of the backfield, Royal has looked up to a former Alabama Crimson Tide running back in Derrick Henry for tips on his playing style. In addition, the physique of Saquon Barkley – nicknamed "SaQuads" – is another he follows.

"Derrick Henry, he's a really good running back. He's big and stocky, runs hard, I feel like I run like him a little bit," Royal said. "And also Saquon Barkley, I'm trying to correct my body a little bit to be like him but then again, I don't know where I'm going to be playing at the next level."

  1. Pre and postgame playlist: YoungBoy … but also Adele

In the locker room after a win, NBA YoungBoy and Lil Baby are surefire artists to get the boys fired up. But when Royal needs to lock himself in before the game, it's Adele who is in his headphones.

"You won't believe me," he said with a smile. "Most of the time, I listen to YoungBoy, but if I want to get my mind right, I listen to Adele talk to my head and think about the past and how I'm going to perform."

  1. Favorite food: Chinese

Although any fried food could fit the bill for this response, Royal said it's the Chinese buffet that is his final answer.

"Chinese food or fried food mostly," Royal said. "(I don't have a go-to order, but) I normally go to the buffet and stock up."

  1. Favorite movie: "The Blind Side"

For his favorite film, he chose the movie based on the true story of Michael Oher who went from being homeless to playing 110 games in eight years in the NFL.

"The Blind Side," he said. "It tells a great story and it's true so I feel like I can relate to that."

  1. What drives you off the field: Community service

While football is certainly a burning passion of his, Royal knows his impact can be greater beyond the dimensions of a field and has already developed a deep love for his Gulf Shores community.

"I've got a lot of things behind me that a lot of people don't really know about me and who I really am," Royal said. "I go to the store and people will walk up to me and say, 'Hey, that's Ronnie Royal, can we take a picture?' I'm like sure, it's cool and all but sometimes people see this four-star athlete and think, 'He's just here for football,' this and that. 'He's a football guy, all he likes is football, he doesn't care about anybody else,' but deep down in my heart, I really care about everyone in this community. I really love this community a lot and if you get to learn who Ronnie Royal as a person is, you'll see how he cares about people and is just trying to save the community and bring more hope and joy to the community."