Before the Penn State football team's first spring practice on Friday, Dan Connor took stock of those around him and noted that the linebacking corps is finally his to guide.

"You don't see Paul [Posluszny], you don't see Tim [Shaw]," the rising senior, Connor said. "Now I get the chance to be the leader and be the comforting face that can help the younger guys through tough games."

Finishing only three tackles behind Posluszny as the team's leading tackler last year, Connor opted not to leave early for April's NFL Draft. Returning as the lone senior starter on defense next year, he learned last year that he would be moving from the outside linebacker position to the inside where Posluszny played last year. And like his predecessor, he threatens to make history.

As of now, Connor sits 98 tackles behind Posluszny as the school's all-time tackling leader, a mark he would break if he repeats the 113-tackle performance he had in 2006. Posluszny broke Greg Buttle's record last year against Wisconsin as he made the same move to the inside while posting a second-straight 116-tackle season.

So far, teammates feel Connor is more than capable of filling the void left by one of the best linebackers in school history.

"He saw that Paul could do it and was successful at it, and he's a great linebacker also," rising sophomore linebacker Sean Lee said.

Lee would remain at strong side linebacker, and a position battle would likely open for the other starting spot on the outside. Tyrell Sales started with the first team Friday and is among those competing for the gig.

After playing the middle linebacker spot in high school, Connor said he's wanted to be in the interior since arriving at Penn State in 2004. In his freshman year, he started the final three games at the inside position before moving to the outside for his sophomore and junior years.

"He's an overall linebacker. He's been that since the day I met him," defensive lineman Josh Gaines said. "No matter what position he plays in that linebacking corps, he's going to be outstanding."

Connor said the move allows him to be around the ball more, but it also requires him to take on more blockers. He said he's added about 10 pounds over the winter, pushing his weight up to 234 pounds.

"That's probably where he belongs, in the middle," Penn State head coach Joe Paterno said of Connor on Friday. "But, don't hold me to it. That's today. Two days from now, he may be playing quarterback."