Let there be no doubt about it. It hasn't been an illusion.
There have been multiple Dan Connor sightings in Mobile, Alabama this week.
It just seems like he's everywhere.
And as a result, coaches are noticing him, scouts are noticing him, and the media has been
pursuing him at every turn. The talented Penn State linebacker is hard to miss.
Connor, who led the Big Ten Conference in tackles his senior year with 145
stops, has brought his enthusiastic and focused style of play to Alabama as
he rubs elbows with the top players from around the country, preparing for
Saturday afternoon's Under Armour Senior Bowl game. And between practices, meetings, studying
the playbook and interviewing with NFL clubs, Connor is finding the week to be a
rigorous, but enjoyable adventure.
"It's hectic, it's a long week, but it's worth it," he said during
an exclusive interview this week at his hotel in downtown Mobile.
Connor's stature as one of the elite players in this year's draft class has
been a two-edged sword. He's been whisked away by major media outlets
immediately following practices and swarmed by team representatives privately in
the evenings. But there's no place he'd rather be right now than in Mobile.
"It's the highest competition in the country right now, and it feels
good to be out there playing," he said.
But it's also been a learning experience for Penn State's career tackles
leader, who took down 419 ball-carriers while suiting up for the Nittany Lions. Working as a member of
the North Team under Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin and his staff, the 6-foot-3,
230-pound linebacker has
quickly noticed the challenges that lie ahead at the
professional level.
" They expect a lot out of you," Connor said. "They throw a
lot at you early, expect you to study, pick it up and translate it to the field
quickly.
"I know there's a lot of pressure on you to do it at the next level, so
it's good to get a taste of it right now."
Dan Connor breaks Penn State's career tackles record with this stop against Purdue on November 7, 2007.
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster |
Connor has been training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at Perfect Competition for
February's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. And he's been glad to take a
week off in hopes of demonstrating his overall athletic ability on the national
stage that the Under Armour Senior Bowl provides to the country's top senior football players
each year.
"It's a great place to
showcase how you do in pass coverage and your pass rush during one-on-ones,"
he said.
Connor's versatility, talent and experience at both outside and inside
linebacker is a major selling point for an NFL rookie, especially one who is
expected to be a first-round draft pick this April.
" I've heard some teams want me inside, some outside," he
said. "I don't have a preference, I'll take either one."
During one of Lane Kiffin's press conferences this week, he talked about
where he sees Connor playing as an NFL linebacker.
"To us, he fits more of an inside role," he said. "For someone
else that may be different."
Even though the Raiders head coach has only watched Connor up close for a few
days, it was obvious that he's grasped what makes him a special talent in this
year's draft class.
"You can really see his leadership out there," he said. "Dan has
really studied the playbook, and I assume he was a great leader for them (Penn
State), you can see that carry over.
"The way he prepares, the way he comes out for practice and how hard he
practices, he's really a big-time competitor."
Connor will be another step closer to showing just how big-time he can be at
the NFL level as he wraps up his Under Armour Senior Bowl week during Saturday's game at 3:00
p.m. (ET). So be sure to keep an eye on No. 40 from the North Team while
reminding yourself that what you're seeing is not an illusion.
Because if he plays true to form, Dan Connor will be everywhere.
Ed Thompson's player interviews and NFL features
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