A 2004 graduate of Strath Haven High School in Wallingford, Delaware County, Dan Connor went 56-3 and started in 59 straight games as a running back/linebacker. He went on to star as a middle linebacker at Penn State, and in his senior year was an All-American selection in 2007 and recipient of the Bednarik Award for the nation's top defensive player. He set the school record with 419 career tackles. He was picked in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.