One of the most significant position changes prior to spring practice brought Dakota Royer to tight end after spending his first two years working at linebacker. The Nittany Lions will employ at least two different tight end positions and the coaching staff feels Royer[apos]s skills, speed and hands could allow him to be a contributor in the passing game this fall. He made very good strides in spring drills and off-season strength and conditioning and could earn significant time in the tight end rotation. During Royer[apos]s junior and senior seasons at Manheim Central High School, he made 86 catches for more than 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is on schedule to graduate in May.
2011 Sophomore Season
Royer[apos]s hard work and improvement did not result in any game action.
2010 Freshman Season
Redshirt season. Royer enrolled in the University in January 2010.
High School
Royer was a first-team all-state selection for Coach Mike Williams at Manheim Central HS. He led the Barons to the 2009 Class AAA state championship game and a 15-1 record. Rivals.com rated Royer the No. 10 prep player in Pennsylvania in 2009 and Scout.com tabbed him as the nation[apos]s No. 18 linebacker prospect. As a senior, he made 74 tackles (46 solo), recording 10 sacks, recovering three fumbles and grabbing an interception. He also made 30 receptions for a team-high 614 yards and had seven touchdowns as a running back. Royer had a 73-yard TD catch in the Barons[apos] state semifinal win over West Allegheny. As a junior, he made 86 stops, with a superlative 32 tackles for loss and 13 sacks on the way to Associated Press first-team all-state honors. He also had 56 receptions for more than 1,000 yards and five touchdowns in 2008 and ran for 271 yards and four scores.
Personal
Full name is Dakota Hunter Royer. He is the son of Eric and Tina Royer and has a younger brother, Gunnar. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, basketball and skiing. Royer is interested in a career as a stockbroker or personal trainer. Born June 16, 1991 in Lancaster, Pa.