6-2 1/2, 215-pound linebacker/defensive end prospect Dakota Royer has been an excellent player at Manheim Central High School (Manheim, PA), performing well on both sides of the ball last season as a junior. A recognized recruit nationally, Royer has been named to the Under Armour All-American game set for January of 2010.

“Most coaches like him as a defensive player,” Manheim Central head coach Mike Williams said of Royer, who had 86 tackles with 11 sacks as a junior and 11 sacks as a sophomore in 2007. “Off the edge, he has tremendous speed and quickness. He is a defensive end for us in high school, but I don’t foresee him being big enough to be one in college. I think he’ll be an outside linebacker or strong safety they can bring off the edge. For us, he was also a tremendous offensive player last year. Last year was his first big effort as a two-way player. At receiver, he caught 55 passes for over 1,000 yards. His speed was a critical factor for us.”

Royer’s athleticism, versatility and playmaking have translated to large success on the recruiting trail.

“I think he has got 22 offers right now,” Williams said. “He has two offers from the Pac 10, from Stanford and UCLA. He has six from the Big 10, including Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin. He has been offered by Notre Dame. Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia have offered. I think North Carolina has offered as well. Maryland, Rutgers and Connecticut have offered, too.”

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