Penn State tight end Dakota Royer will leave Penn State, he informed Lions247 on Wednesday evening.
"Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, it is with great regret that I feel it necessary to remove myself from the team," Royer said in a statement. "I want to thank my teammates for their support and camaraderie, as well as Coach O’Brien and his staff for the opportunity. I will exercise my rights from the NCAA and continue my education at Penn State, and plan to graduate in May. My best wishes go out to the team for a very successful football season."
Royer, a 6-foot-1, 228-pound redshirt sophomore, came to Penn State as a top-20 national linebacker prospect in 2010, enrolling in January after wrapping up his career at Manheim Central High School early. He took a redshirt his freshman season, focusing on adding weight. He did not see any action last season, on defense or special teams.
The new coaching staff elected to move Royer to tight end this spring, and he finished practice as the No. 3 "F" tight end.
Royer is the second tight end to leave the program this summer. Junior Kevin Haplea decided to transfer to Florida State two weeks ago. The Nittany Lions still have tight ends Garry Gilliam, Kyle Carter, Jesse James and true freshman Brent Wilkerson on scholarship as well as walk-ons Matt Lehman and Brian Irvin.
