Dan Connor SELECTED BY: Carolina Panthers Round 3(11)

SI Grade 3.87 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Full-time starter the past two seasons after seeing sporadic action with the first team as a freshman and sophomore. Led the team in tackles as a senior posting 145/15/6.5. Also registered one interception and broke up six passes. Junior-year totals included 113/9/5. All-Conference and All-American selection the past two years. Captured the Bednarik Award as the nation.s top defensive player last season.

POSITIVES: Smart, instinctive linebacker with an outstanding feel for the game. Diagnoses the action, anticipates plays, and shows terrific reaction in all aspects of the game. Remains disciplined with assignments, possesses a sixth sense on the field, and fundamentally sound. Scrapes well laterally, takes good angles to the action, and efficient. Wastes no motion and rarely off his feet. Wraps up when tackling and shows good awareness in coverage.

NEGATIVES: Does not display great sideline-to-sideline range. Undersized and handled at the point. Slow getting off blocks.

ANALYSIS: Connor is a hard-working player with a passion for the game. He possesses all the intangibles to be a starter at a number of linebacker positions in the NFL. Connor may need to play in a system that allows him to freely flow to the action, yet he should be productive right out of the gates.

PROJECTION: Early Second Round