Entirely new game for Klug

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- After four years of college, including the final two as a top-tier defensive tackle in the Big Ten, Karl Klug is starting over. Sort of, kind of.

Sunday at the NFL combine, Klug, a 6-foot-3, 275-pounder, said has been asked about linebacker and defensive end.

"I really haven't heard any D-tackle," said Klug, who, as a D-tackle at Iowa the last two seasons, piled up 26 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. "Talking to [Iowa strength and conditioning] coach [Chris] Doyle, he thinks otherwise, but me personally, I haven't heard anything about D-tackle."

This makes sense given the two teams that have shown interest in Klug, the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots. Tampa Bay also has shown interest.

The Packers could find a home for a versatile body like Klug's in their 3-4 defense. The Patriots have a model for Klug in Dan Klecko, a 5-11, 275-pounder who played everything from nose tackle to fullback to special teams in four seasons at New England.

"I'm going to need to show athleticism," said Klug, who didn't play linebacker but did play running back at Caledonia (Minn.) High School. "Some teams that see me as a linebacker will see me at 275 and think, wow, you won't be able to move. Will I be quick enough? People who are looking at me as a defensive end will think, are you big enough?

"There's always questions."

Klug won't be able to run here. He strained a hamstring while working out in Iowa City. He thought of it as a minor setback. He fully plans to run during Iowa's pro day on March 21.

He believes running will be a strength for him and might open some eyes. His last timed 40-yard dash at Iowa was a 4.67 seconds last spring.

"It's frustrating," he said. "I felt confident in coming here and running a good time. Some people asked if I thought I could hit 4.8, but in the spring I was 4.67. I was ready to run. I want to make sure I'll be able to for pro day."

But it's not that defensive tackle is out of the question. Klug weighed in at 275, the heaviest he's ever been. He believes he could go 285 or 290 and play inside.

"It wouldn't be easy, but I think I could eventually get there," Klug said.

Klug is one of three Iowa defensive linemen at the combine, joining Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard. This is no accident.

"Everyday we were competing with each other," Klug said. "In speed drills, we'd always compete within ourselves, seeing who could beat who, see who's the best out of the four or five of us. We definitely competed all four of us."

The combine has been a bit of a surreal experience for Klug, a small-town kid whose best offer for college football was Iowa.

"I walked into an exam room yesterday and four doctors were in there," he said. "There was one on each limb."

He's willing to jump through whatever hoop. He just wants a chance.

"If I'm Mr. Irrelevant, I'd be happy," said Klug, referring to the nickname for the last name picked in April's draft.

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Career Bests

Tackles: 10, vs. Indiana, 10/31/09

Solos: 6, at Northwestern,11/13/10

Assists: 9, vs. Indiana, 10/31/09

TFL: 2, four times, last N'western, 11/13/10

QB Sacks: 2, twice, last vs. N'Western, 11/13/10

PBU: 2, twice, last vs. Wisconsin, 10/23/10

Recovered Fumble:1, at Penn State, 9/26/09

Forced Fumble: 1, fourtimes, last at. Michigan, 10/16/10

Career Statistics

Defense Solo Ast. Total T/Loss Sacks QBH In-Yd. PBU FF

Freshman 0 1 1 0/0 0/0 0 0-0 0 0

Sophomore 6 11 17 5/19 2/8 0 0-0 0 1

Junior 22 43 65 13/40 4/21 3 0-0 5 2

Senior 29 28 57 13/67 5.5/47 5 3 1 0

Career 57 83 140 31/126 9.5/76 8 8 4 1

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