By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

June 30, 2009

One of the top targets on the Nittany Lions recruiting board is linebacker/defensive end Dakota Royer from Manheim (Pa.) Central.  Landing the Under Armour All-American is a huge priority for Joe Paterno and staff.

The 6-foot-3 and 220-pound Royer has linebacker size right now and could play that position at the next level.  However, he has plenty of room to gain weight and could go in the 250-pound range in a couple years and put his hand down as a pass-rushing terror.

Either way, Royer has impact player potential.

Royer 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.

Royer has narrowed his list of over two dozen scholarship offers down to five: Penn State, Pitt, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Oregon.  He has visited all of those schools - except Oregon.

“I’m not sure about visiting Oregon,” Royer said.  “I was at Pitt over the weekend for a 7-on-7 camp.  Besides that, I’m probably done with my visits.” 

The last time Royer visited Penn State was for the Nike Football Training Camp in State College on May 2.  However, Royer said he talks to either Coach Mike McQueary or Coach Ron Vanderlinden just about every week.

Nittany Network asked Royer what he likes about each of the five schools he is still considering.

Penn State:  “I’ve been there a lot.  Everything is real nice.  The coaches are great.  It’s close to home, about two hours away.”

Pitt:  “It’s cool being right there with the Steelers and all.  Coach (Dave) Wannstedt is a coach with a lot of credentials.”

Notre Dame:  “They have great tradition.  Coach (Charlie) Weis is a Super Bowl champion.”

Michigan State:  “Coach (Mark) Dantonio says this is his last stop.  He is putting everything into it.”

Oregon:  “They are out there with the Nike headquarters right there.  It is all up to date with everything that can get you to the next level.”

Having visited four of the five schools and probably not visiting the fifth, Royer doesn’t plan to string his decision process out too much longer.

“I’ll probably decide by the middle of July,” he said.  “I’ll probably come up with a decision in the next couple weeks.”

Kurelic’s Comment:  I continue to like the Nittany Lions chances.  I see Royer eventually selecting Penn State, then working to help Joe Pa finish off a great recruiting class.