Dakota Royer isn't phased by the whole Friday Night Lights thing.

But being in the spotlight as one of the top football recruits in the country?

That involved a glare that even Manheim Central's All-State defensive end found difficult to see beyond at times.

"It's finally over," the Barons' blue-chip prospect said Thursday afternoon, after choosing Penn State over finalists Notre Dame and Pittsburgh as his college of choice.

"It was really stressful at times. I feel like I just got a lot off my chest."

Flanked by his parents, Eric and Tina, and surrounded by family, friends, teammates, Baron coaches and Manheim Central administrators, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Royer announced his intent in the high school's crowded, humid lobby.

Standing at a wooden podium and framed by a maroon Manheim Central football banner, the four-star recruit thanked everyone involved in what he termed a "real long process." Reaching over with his left hand, Royer picked up a white-and-blue Penn State baseball-style cap that was situated in front of the podium to the left of a gold-colored Notre Dame cap and dark blue Pitt hat.

"After this football season," he said, "next year I'm going to be playing at … Penn State University."

His announcement brought a burst of cheering and applause from his audience, some members of which were wearing Penn State shirts.

Royer, who plans to major in business, will receive a full athletic scholarship. It was one of 23 he was offered. Michigan, Nebraska, UCLA, Michigan State, Stanford, Maryland, Illinois, Oregon, West Virginia and Syracuse were among the major universities offering full rides.

But it was Penn State, Royer said, that felt like the best fit.

"I just feel at home," he said. "There's no place like Penn State."

He had talked with former Central star Graham Zug, now a wideout at Penn State, during the Seventh Annual "Lift For Life," a charitable event held in Happy Valley on July 10 to benefit the Kidney Cancer Association.

At the time Royer was leaning toward Penn State but was still mulling his choices. Being around Zug and other Penn State players at the "Lift For Life," Royer said, brought him to a realization.

"There wasn't another place I wanted to be," he said. "Notre Dame has a gorgeous campus, great history and great coaches, and I liked Pitt as well.

"But I feel Penn State is where I belong."

Not surprising, Baron boss Mike Williams said.

"We're in Penn State's backyard," he said. "Everybody in town is a Penn State fan, with a few exceptions.

"For a kid who was brought up in Penn State country, what more can you ask for? It's the ultimate."

Royer, who will be a senior in the fall, plans to graduate from Manheim Central early in order to begin attending classes at Penn State.

A Lancaster-Lebanon League First Team All-Section Two wide receiver — he had 56 catches for 5 touchdowns and averaged almost 20 yards per catch — Royer is being looked at by Penn State coaches as a defensive end or outside linebacker.

And, he said, he isn't ruling out playing next fall rather than redshirting his freshman season.

"Depends on what weight I come in at," he said.

Royer believes that if he stays at his current weight, he'll see time at outside 'backer. If he bulks up to 240, he expects to be switched to defensive end, the position he prefers.

"I'm more of a defensive end guy than a linebacker," he said. "I've played defensive end all my life.

"As long as I can get my weight up, I can fight for a position."

Royer had 86 tackles — 32 for losses — and 13 sacks last season to help lead the Barons to a section title and the District Three Class AAA title game. As a sophomore, he had 107 stops — 31 for loss — and 11.5 sacks.

Royer is the second blue-chip recruit to commit to Penn State this week. Kevin Haplea, a 6-4, 230-pound tight end from North Hunterdon High in Annandale, N.J., announced his intent on Monday.

E-mail: egruver@lnpnews.com