Like a photograph, Dan Connor's college career has been in development for the last two years. Only now, though, the junior linebacker's performance is coming out of the darkroom, and is on display for all to see.

Perhaps lost in the shadow of fellow linebacker Paul Posluszny for the past few years, Connor is now rising toward the top of Penn State's linebacking corps -- one of the best such units in the country.

Connor leads the Big Ten with 25 tackles, which include 3.5 behind the line of scrimmage and two sacks in week one against Akron.

"That's a good thing for [Connor] that he's overshadowed by Paul," defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said before the season. "Dan goes about his business and he's here to play. He's bigger and stronger than he was before."

Connor is listed this year at 225 pounds, five pounds heavier than in 2005. With an inexperienced defensive line and secondary, that's a good thing, as he's being called upon to carry a heavier portion of the load this season.

The added muscle might also help Connor make the big hits that have wowed fans so far this season.

"He's a quiet guy and he does what he does, leading by example," teammate Tim Shaw said. "When you can rely on somebody down after down to make the plays that we need made, that just allows you to be more aggressive."

This season is the first time that Connor has been a starter from the beginning. In 2004, his true freshman campaign, the Wallingford native waited his turn behind Derek Wake for much of the season, starting only four games.

Even so, he managed to place second on the team in tackles.

"He's always been smart," Bradley said. "We were able to play him as a freshman at all three positions. I don't think I've ever seen a guy that's been able to do that as a freshman."

There have, however, been lapses in Connor's judgment.

In the summer of 2005, with a starting linebacker job expected to be his, Connor was suspended indefinitely for making a series of prank

phone calls that escalated into harassment. His suspension from the team meant that Connor had to sit out the season's first three games.

On Saturdays, Connor couldn't even be on the sidelines with his teammates.

"That was very hard, having to watch games on TV," Connor said. "It's a tough thing to deal with, but a good learning experience because it built a lot of character."

And so continued Connor's development.

Always learning, he takes to the film room each week with notebook in hand, ready to dissect his play from the previous game. He is his own toughest critic.

"I can work on pad level, better technique taking on blockers," Connor said. "You can never be happy with how you play and what you do, and that's how you develop throughout the season."

The Nittany Lions defense expects to progress throughout the season, acclimating itself to new defensive schemes and alignments. It's just another learning process for Connor, who tends to pick things up quickly.

Connor was a running back at Strath Haven High School, and understands, according to Bradley, where it's clear and where it's cloudy -- he understands how running backs think.

The reads and checks, the tackling techniques and coverage schemes can all be learned, but instincts and anticipation are what make a good linebacker -- the ability to see the full picture before it develops.

"I've seen what I've always seen in Dan," Shaw said. "He's got great instincts and he's a great player."

Now the picture is fully visible, on display for all to see.