NFL Scouting Combine: AJ Klein, Jake Knott Head to Indianapolis

Two of Iowa State’s most recognizable players on the football team head to this year’s scouting combine, one of them hoping to impress with their physical skills and the other will be doing interviews after suffering a season-ending injury toward the end of the season.

October 27, 2012; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones linebacker A.J. Klein (47) and defensive back Drake Ferch (34) tackle the Baylor Bears running back Jarred Salubi (21) at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State beat Baylor 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Both A.J. Klein and Jake Knott, senior linebackers for the Cyclones, have expectations to reach the the NFL. Unfortunately for Knott, he suffered a shoulder injury against Oklahoma State. Knowing that his final game would be against Baylor in front of his home crowd, he finished with 11 tackles and was one of the leaders right with Klein with 79 sacks after eight games.

Instead of showcasing his physical skills in front of scouts, he will have to focus on his interviewing skills to back up his brilliant play with Iowa State. With all the flight problems he had getting to the combine, he’ll be happy to do the interviews

If you’ve watched any of the Cyclones’ games on TV, you’ll know that Klein was the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and backed that up leading his team with 117 tackles all this season. Although the defensive overall certainly missed Knott with all the yards given up late in the season, Klein gave it his all, including two straight season-highs with 14 against West Virginia and 19 against Tulsa in the Liberty Bowl.

Linebackers are scheduled to participate with defensive linemen on Monday. Coverage can be seen all day on NFL Network.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor of Clones Confidential. Get more Cyclones coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook.