Jake Knott and A.J. Klein have seen it all.

Entering this season as true seniors, the linebackers have accounted for almost 25 percent of the team’s tackles and will be leading the team into its season-opening game against Tulsa on Sept. 1.

Knott and Klein garnered national attention this offseason, landing spots on the preseason All-Big 12 team as well as watch lists for the Rotary Lombardi Award (best linebacker/lineman resembling late coach Vince Lombardi), Butkus Award (best linebacker), and the Bednarik (best collegiate defensive player) and Nagurski (best collegiate defensive player) Awards.

“They’re deserving of the attention they’re getting, I also believe they’re level-headed and mature enough that they can handle that and can go out and play and win football games for us,” said ISU coach Paul Rhoads on the team’s media day on Aug. 2.

Rhoads said the differing styles of how Knott and Klein play as linebackers create the synergy at the position as well as make it difficult for opponents to figure out blocking schemes for them.

Leadership on the field is also a major contribution Knott and Klein both make to the team, thanks in part to the coaching of defensive coordinator Wally Burnham that has developed them into the players they are now.

“They go out there and lead and they do their job and they give a lot of effort,” Burnham said last season. “They’re intelligent football players and that carries them a long way.”

Entering this season as two-year starters at weak-side and middle linebacker has boded well for Knott and Klein, having given them the necessary experience to know what to do in critical situations as well as quarterback the defense.

“Now it’s just so easy and almost [to the point where] we don’t even need to say a word while we’re out there because we both know what the other one’s going to do,” Knott said. “That goes a long way in being able to play faster, quicker and more explosive.”

Aside from the physical benefits, Klein said that the experience has also provided mental benefits for the linebacking tandem as well.

“The more experienced you are, the slower the game is for you, the faster you can react and the more plays you can make,” Klein said. “For me and Jake over the past three years being together, the game has slowed down for us. That’s why we’ve been mostly successful on game day as far as being in the right positions.”

A 2009 graduate of Waukee High School in Waukee, Iowa, Knott did not get a lot of attention from Division I football programs, despite being offered baseball scholarships by Iowa and Northern Iowa.

“It really built my work ethic and maybe put a chip on my shoulder, so to speak,” Knott said of the lack of attention he got out of high school. “A.J. has been the same way and we both just go out there every single day and try to be consistent and work hard.”

Off the field, Knott and Klein can be found playing video games, tweeting inside jokes to one another or taking up a round of golf.

Golf has been a staple in Knott and Klein’s off-the-field contests, providing another avenue for them to beat one another and keep their competitive spirits alive.

“I think it’s my favorite game just because it’s so challenging, it’s fun to watch,” Klein said. “I had the opportunity to play in the Principal Charity Classic and watching the pros up close is just ridiculous how good they are at the game.”

While golf may be a competitive affair during the offseason, football comes first.

“They’re great friends … and they know they have the ability to play at a high level so they challenge each other in practice and off the field to accomplish that,” Rhoads said. “They’re strong in the weight room, they’re smart in the classroom, they’re fast and physical on the football field.”