Almost a week away from Iowa State’s season-opening game against Northern Iowa, the defense has found itself in the midst of change.

Junior A.J. Klein, who started all 12 games last season at strong-side linebacker, has been moved to middle linebacker with either C.J. Morgan or Deon Broomfield, both normal contributors at nickel back, occupying the strong-side slot.

“We’re more of a nickel-based team, if you would ask what our base team was, it’s nickel,” said coach Paul Rhoads. “The Sam linebacker and nickel spot is the same spot. If it’s a two-back set and that guy’s got to scoot in, he just scoots in and we call him a Sam at that point. It’s the same position.”

Klein’s shift to middle has demoted redshirt senior Matt Tau’fo’ou to second-string one week after being named the starter for that position.

“Every position is competitive,” Tau’fo’ou said. “No matter whether it’s linebacker, quarterback, receivers or anything. I think every day each one of us players are out there trying to compete and just make ourselves better because I think competing will help make each other better.”

Broomfield, who is listed as 194 pounds on the team roster, said he does not mind the different style of play that linebacker provides.

“I kind of like it because I like being up in the box,” Broomfield said. “It’s a lot easier. Once you get the reads, you get the play faster and it’s a lot [more] physical, that’s the type of ball I like to play.”

Morgan is not much larger than Broomfield, weighing in at only 207 pounds.

This scheme, however, is not set in stone and is subject to change depending on the differing offenses the Cyclones are slated to face this season.

“If we were playing a power team, we’d change and have three prototype linebackers out there as opposed to Deon or C.J.,” Rhoads said. “But they can both still execute those responsibilities.”

The decision to move Klein to middle and demote Tau’fo’ou was made due to Klein’s familiarity to the position in nickel packages in the past.

“When we put C.J. [or Deon] at Sam/nickel, then that makes A.J. the full-time Mike linebacker now,” said defensive coordinator Wally Burnham. “So he’s not having to learn two positions like he did last year.”