Linebacker Connor a no-frills guy

0 Comments | USA TODAY, April, 2008 | by Gary Mihoces

After playing his college career in the basic blue-and-white uniform of Penn State, linebacker Dan Connor might feel like a fancy dan when he gets to the NFL.

What if he's drafted by the orange-and-black-striped Cincinnati Bengals? Or the San Diego Chargers with their lightning bolts? "I've always been a real plain guy, kind of an old-school mentality. That's going to be weird when I have a uniform a little more flashy," Connor says.

"Linebacker U" has not been defined by fancy pants. As a potential first-round pick April 26, Connor is the latest in a long line of Penn State All-Americans at his position going back to Jack Ham, Shane Conlan and LaVar Arrington.

Connor, whose 419 career tackles are a school record, fits the mold.

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