UNIVERSITY PARK — The Penn State sports information department confirmed Friday that junior cornerback Derrick Thomas has left the football team due to personal reasons.

Thomas was a highly coveted recruit out of Eleanore Roosevelt High School (Md.) who redshirted for Penn State in 2009. He appeared in four games in 2010 and nine last season, recording four tackles.

One of the Nittany Lions more experienced returning cornerbacks, Thomas was expected to compete for more playing time as a junior this season.

His exit leaves an already thin Penn State secondary with even less experience on the depth chart.

Among the six corners Penn State has listed on its roster, only senior Stephon Morris and sophomore Adrian Amos have seen extended playing time.

The remaining four, junior Mike Wallace, and sophomores Jesse Della Valle, Patrick Flanagan and Devin Pryor, combined to play limited snaps in five games last season.

Thomas is the second Penn State player to leave the team for personal reasons after wide receiver Devon Smith left the team last week.