Offensive tackle leaving Penn State

Penn State has lost another of its high-profile commitments, with offensive tackle Dorian Johnson of Belle Vernon High School near Pittsburgh having informed coach Bill O'Brien that he will look elsewhere.

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Johnson, whom Rival.com rated as a four-star recruit and No. 23 among offensive tackles in the freshman class of 2013, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he called O'Brien on Tuesday night to inform him of his decision.

"It was a real short conversation," Johnson said. "He didn't really say much. He did say he respected my decision and wished me luck."

Johnson is the fifth member of Penn State's anticipated class of 2013 to withdraw his commitment to the school, as players weigh their options given the harsh sanctions handed down by the NCAA to the university after the Jerry Sandusky child sexual-abuse scandal. Those penalties included a four-year bowl ban, scholarship reductions, and a $60 million fine.

"I wasn't expecting all that," Johnson told the Tribune-Review about the Penn State penalties. "The top two things were the bowl ban and the scholarship offers."

Johnson said he will reconsider Pittsburgh and Ohio State, two of his original finalists, as well as Virginia Tech, according to the newspaper.

On Monday, wide receiver and linebacker Zach Bradshaw of Damascus, Md., notified O'Brien that he was decommitting. Bradshaw later committed to Virginia.

The Nittany Lions also confirmed that redshirt sophomore Dakota Royer, who was moved in the spring from linebacker to tight end, was leaving the team.

The 6-1, 223-pound Royer, from Lancaster, said in a statement to the Blue White Illustrated website that he would continue his education at Penn State and not transfer. He expects to graduate in May, according to the statement.

He said that because of "circumstances beyond my control" he felt it "necessary to remove myself from the team."

Basketball game time set. Penn State's 2012 ACC/Big Ten Challenge men's basketball game with visiting Boston College on Nov. 28 has been set for a 9:15 p.m. start and will be televised on ESPNU.

Throws coach added. Patrick Ebel has been hired to coach the throws contingent on the Penn State track and field team. Ebel had coached at Division III powerhouse University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.