Going into the 2006 football season, Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny and offensive tackle Levi Brown were the clear-cut captains of a relatively young and talented group of players.

They were coming off of seasons where they were named All-Americans and were highly coveted at their respective positions in the NFL Draft. The pair was named captains before the Blue-White game in April.

Coming into the 2007 campaign, the search for team captains has taken a bit longer and the choices are a little hazier, at least on the offensive side of the ball.

This year's team leaders have yet to be named, but a players-only vote is expected to take place shortly before the start of preseason camp on Aug. 6.

On defense, the named mentioned constantly by teammates has been Dan Connor. He has been named to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented to the nation's top defensive player, and was a finalist last year when Posluszny won.

Connor was very grateful for the high praise from his teammates and said he would be ready if he is to be named a captain.

"That's a great honor," Connor said. "For guys to say that means that they respect me and respect what I have done here. I'd love the role. It's something that I would definitely take kindly, too."

If Connor does become the defensive captain like many of his teammates expect, he said he would take what he has learned from the best captains he played alongside.

"You pick up stuff as you go along," Connor said. "Mike Rob [former quarterback Michael Robinson] was another great leader; Paul's a good leader. You pick up stuff from other guys you have seen, so that will help me -- kind of mix it in with my style."

As overwhelming a favorite as Connor is to be selected as captain of the defense, the exact opposite can be said about the offense's candidates.

Names like offensive guard John Shaw, wide receiver Derrick Williams and center A.Q. Shipley were floated around by some teammates.

One name mentioned several times that may come as a shock to some fans is wide receiver Terrell Golden. Golden had six catches last year in 11 games.

For what he has lacked in on-the-field production, he has made up for with his strong work ethic this off-season.

"The person I really like that caught my eye and has stepped up as a leader is Terrell Golden," Cornerback Justin King said. "He's a vocal leader. Sometimes he's not the first in everything, but you can tell he is giving his all and he's always there for other people. You just get that respect factor for certain people, and I have respect for him."

King said he has played opposite Golden in summer workouts and has seen his drive in team drills.

In Shipley's opinion, the one player that has shouldered a larger role as a leader since last year is quarterback Anthony Morelli.

Shipley has noticed Morelli's voice is clearer and stronger in the huddle in summer team drills, which indicates to him a more poised and assertive quarterback.

"He is a hundred times more confident and a hundred times more mature," Shipley said. "He's let everyone know that this is his final year, and this year is his final take at this thing. It's either now or never with him. He's really been real motivational, really getting the guys going."

Running back Austin Scott, who has been praised for his work with the scout team last year, has been impressed with how the seniors have grown into their larger roles as leaders.

"Leadership is coming from the seniors, definitely from the seniors," Scott said. "All the seniors really are up there trying to bring these guys together and make sure that we keep the tradition going on after we leave, like it was passed off to us."

Despite the final selection, Connor said he has seen plenty of players exhibiting a more professional attitude from whom other players can take cues.

"There's a lot of guys that have that approach. I am one of the guys that you know we go in and we are going to work," he said. "It's a fun time, but this is our job. That is a mentality that a lot guys have, and it makes them work hard and it makes them be great players."