Heading into spring practices, Penn State coach Joe Paterno knew he had enough talented linebackers on the roster.

But he wasn't so sure where that talent would be best used, or what position (inside or outside) suited each player.

"One of the concerns that Joe had was let's move the linebackers, get them out there playing and whoever the best three guys are, we could adjust," Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said after Saturday's Blue-White game. "We've got some good linebackers. We have to work them in different places."

Dan Connor has moved from outside linebacker to inside to replace likely first round NFL draft pick Paul Posluszny, the most recent player to uphold Penn State's tradition as "Linebacker U."

Connor was second on the team in tackles behind Posluszny last season, and has expressed the desire to be both the leader and player that the All-American Posluszny proved to be in his final season.

Sean Lee, who finished third in tackles last season, figures to have solidified his starting job as a strong side outside linebacker heading into his junior season.

But the weak side job appears to be still undecided as of now. That's the position where talent is still being moved around.

Redshirt freshman Navorro Bowman started alongside Connor and Lee for the Blue team on Saturday, but Bradley said after the game that both the 6-foot-1, 288 pound Bowman and rising junior Tyrell Sales have practiced at what the Penn State coaching staff calls the "Fritz" position.

"We've been moving them around to see what they can do at different spots," Bradley said. "From there, at least we'll have good evaluation when the time comes."

Bowman led the Blue squad with a team-high four tackles.

Lee said Bowman has "that special trait," needed to play 'backer and has impressed him all spring and continued to Saturday.

"It's been a battle all spring," Lee said. "We have a bunch of guys that have done really well, but he's definitely made himself better and he's a guy that we need to get on the field."

Sales, though, didn't hurt his case for an increased role with a game-high 11 stops for the White team.

Nor did rising sophomore Jerome Hayes, who added 10 tackles and appeared to be calling the defensive signals for the White team while playing inside.

And there's also redshirt freshman Bani Gbadyu, who teammates say is the fastest linebacker of the group.

After the game, the 6-foot, 217-pound Gbadyu said he was second on the depth chart behind Bowman at the weak side position.

"We have the versatility to move guys," Bradley said. "We know Dan [Connor] can go back outside. He's playing inside this spring, and it gives us a chance to look at more linebackers."