Connor's game-high nine tackles along with an interception of a Colt Brennan pass in the 2008 Senior Bowl earned him the game's Under Armour Award—essentially the North team's MVP.

[4][5] Connor's superlative college career led to his #23 ranking on Sports Illustrated's list of the top 25 2008 NFL draft candidates.

[8][9] Due to the Panthers' wealth of talent at linebacker, Connor played sparingly—mostly on special teams—in the first 3 weeks before a torn ACL suffered during a loss to the Minnesota Vikings ended his season.

In 2010, despite reportedly fielding several trade inquiries during the offseason, the Panthers made it clear Connor would compete for a starting job that season after the team released veteran linebacker Na'il Diggs.

[12] On November 9, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a fractured hip bone and Beason was moved back to middle linebacker.

In 2011, he took over the middle linebacker starter position in the second game after Beason was lost for the year with a torn left Achilles tendon.

On March 15, 2012, he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys to play inside linebacker in the team's 3-4 defense and reuniting him with former Penn State teammate Sean Lee.

[17] On September 12, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a neck injury and Mark Herzlich replaced him as the starter at middle linebacker.

[20] In January 2016, Connor accepted the head coaching position at Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor, Pennsylvania.