INDIANAPOLIS — Before A.J. Klein and Jake Knott even had a chance to do tests at this year’s NFL Combine, their names were already being discussed by those already there.

Bruce Feldman, a college football writer and columnist for CBS, believes the two have a definite chance to be “really solid NFL players.”

With the changing dynamic in linebackers turning from hard-hitting run-stoppers into pass-rushers, Feldman said he still thinks there’s a place for prototypical linebackers like Klein and Knott.

“I think you do need solid guys to be the backbone of your defensive scheme,” Feldman said. “I mean yeah, everyone is looking for a guy who’s 6’3, 270 and is really explosive and can rush the passer.

“I think you’ve still got to stop the run and have got to play assignment football at some point; I think you need those guys.”

With Knott waiting to do his physical tests until Iowa State’s pro day next month, teams that interview him will likely ask about his problems with staying healthy for an entire season.

Knott showed he can play through injuries his entire career, not missing a single game until he was forced to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery on Oct. 29, 2012, last season. 

Feldman said toughness is indeed a factor for interviews, but also noted they’d be looking more closely at how quickly someone can pick up a scheme.

“I think [toughness is a factor],” Feldman said. “But the biggest thing you’re trying to gauge is ‘does he love football, how smart is he, how tough is he?’”

Big 12 players chime in on Klein, Knott

 

More than 25 former Big 12 players were invited to perform at the 2013 NFL Combine. Even with most are focusing on the tests and challenges at hand, some distinctly remembered playing against Iowa State, more specifically the linebacking duo of Klein and Knott.

Geno Smith threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns against Iowa State in West Virginia’s 31-24 win at Jack Trice Stadium last season, including the go-ahead 75-yard touchdown to Tavon Austin.

With Knott out for the regular season rehabbing his shoulder at that point, that left Klein to hold down the middle of the defense.

Smith immediately answered what he remembered about Iowa State’s defense that game.

“That one middle linebacker they had: Klein,” Smith said of the game’s leading tackler with 14. “Ah man… All over the field.”

During Farmageddon, Kansas State’s Collin Klein threw and ran for a combined 292 yards with three rushing touchdowns. After Klein was done fielding questions regarding his quarterbacking ability and his comparison to Tim Tebow, he quickly recalled the game at Jack Trice and the two linebackers.

“Two obviously great competitors and players,” Collin said of Knott and Klein, who finished with a combined 24 tackles. “Extremely solid individuals.”

Oklahoma’s Landry Jones even recalled playing with Knott earlier than this year. Jones said he remembers playing against him when he was 11 years old, but Knott said he doesn’t remember playing against him.

Klein and Knott are both scheduled to arrive on Friday, although Knott will arrive later that night due to weather problems. 

On Saturday they are scheduled to undergo measurements and medical examinations before meeting with the media.