By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

April 28, 2009

Linebacker/defensive end Dakota Royer from Manheim (Pa.) Central, one of Joe Paterno’s top 2010 recruiting targets, attended the Blue-White Spring Game on Saturday.  Even though Royer has visited Penn State a number of times, he came away impressed.

“It was really cool,” Royer said.  “Besides a regular game, I’ve never seen Penn State play.  Seeing both the first- and second-teams play was good.  They put on a good show.  I was impressed.”

The 6-foot-3 and 220-pound Royer is one of the Keystone State’s top 10 prospects.  He has been a starter since the beginning of his sophomore season, when he had 11 sacks.  Royer made 86 tackles including 11 sacks during his junior season and also caught 56 passes for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns.

In addition to seeing the Nittany Lions play in person last season, Royer visited Penn State on March 27.  The Blue-White Game was another opportunity for Royer to experience everything Penn State has to offer.

“I got a better feel for the place,” Royer said.  “I talked to most of the coaches.  They were all great.  It was good talking to Joe Paterno.”

Paterno and staff made sure Royer not only got a feel for what Penn State has to offer. They made sure Royer knew how much they want him.

“They were really pressuring me a lot,” Royer said.  “It didn’t bother me.  They let me know they really want me to go there.  Penn State is definitely in the mix.”

Royer has 22 scholarship offers including Penn State, Pitt, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Illinois, Stanford, Virginia, Rutgers, Temple, UCLA and Syracuse.  He has a general time table for narrowing his list down and making his college choice.

“I have a top 10, but I want to keep that between my family and I right now,” he said.   “Penn State is in there.  I’ll cut it down to about five by the end of June.  Then I’ll decide as soon as I can.  I’m looking at everything to see where I fit in.”

Royer will be back in State College this weekend to attend the Penn State Nike Football Training Camp on Saturday.