STATE COLLEGE — His shoulders looked taut, his biceps a little bigger.

Linebacker Dan Connor has bulked up, and it was apparent why following his first few snaps at spring practice. After primarily playing outside linebacker at Penn State, the soon-to-be-senior started practice this spring on the inside.

For now.

"Yeah, that's probably where he belongs, in the middle. But don't hold me to it, that's today," coach Joe Paterno joked. "Two days from now he may be playing quarterback."

Kidding aside, if Paterno likes what he sees, the move will likely become permanent come fall. Connor, who is poised to take over the starring role at "Linebacker U.," has no qualms.

"It feels natural. I played it in high school. I love the inside," said Connor, who gained about 10 pounds since his listed weight of 225 at the Outback Bowl in January. "I wanted to play that here all along, and to get a chance is something I look forward to."

That extra weight may help Connor with the more grinding responsibilities of playing inside. Six starters should return from last season's solid defense, but Connor will be the only senior. So, it might make sense for the unit's most experienced player to man the middle.

In practice, the linebacking lineup had Sean Lee staying at outside linebacker, with Butler graduate Tyrell Sales replacing Connor at the other outside spot. Lee said it wasn't odd to see Connor playing alongside him now.

"He's definitely more vocal," Lee said. "He's been playing three years now, and especially the young guys are looking to him."

Should he need, Connor can also draw advice from former teammate Paul Posluszny, the defense's leader the last two seasons. Posluszny drew accolades playing outside linebacker in 2005 before switching inside in 2006. Connor's 113 tackles last season were second on the team only behind Posluszny, who had 116.

Now, Connor appears to be ready to take over as leader.

"I feel like I've been here forever," he said. "I've been looking forward to a chance to be a leader, to be the guy on defense, be the oldest guy in the huddle."

Another notable move on defense had Tony Davis, a cornerback last year, lining up at safety, with speedy A.J. Wallace playing corner. While it's unclear how permanent that change might be, the switch at linebacker sounds a little more permanent

"I'll have a whole spring under my belt, the summer where I'm concentrating on it, and I'll know the position inside and out come the opener," Connor said.