Iowa DL Karl Klug heads to Tennessee Titans (with Klug transcript, analysts quotes)

Iowa defensive lineman Karl Klug was the fourth former Hawkeye chosen in the NFL draft, going in the fifth round to the Tennesssee Titans, 142 overall.

Klug, a Caledonia, Minn., native, was a second-team all-Big Ten defensive tackle last year. He was named a permanent team captain and named the defense's  Most Valuable Player last year.

Klug, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 275 pounds, started 26 straight games and had a team-high 13 tackles for loss and 5.5 quarterback sacks last year.

"If you put the Iowa tape on, (Christian) Ballard had a huge name, Clayborn had a huge name, I thought the best college player of the three was Karl Klug," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. "He doesn't fit the prototype of a 305-pound three-technique (a 4-3 defensive tackle), he's not long enough to play outside. He's a classic tweener, but like Dan Klecko several yeras ago  that Bill Belichick drafted, I thought this kid, Klug, is one of those find-a-spot guys."

"He's just like they've always developed at Iowa: a terrific football player," NFL Network draft analyst Charles Davis said. "We had (former Iowa player and Wisconsin Coach) Bret Bielema up here before, who was a walk-on guy that pumped himself up and turned himself into a defensive tackle for Iowa.

"Think about what they've sent out in recent years. Not stars but these hard-nosed guys like a Mitch King, a (Matt) Kroul, those guys playing together. I talked to Big Ten coaches all the time, and they're talking about trying to run on those guys was a hard day's work. Here comes Klug, another find-a-spot. He might stand up and be an inside linebacker on a heavy run-stopping defense."

Mayock said Klug could could also become a fullback or H-back in goal-line situations.

KLUG TRANSCRIPT:

DL KARL KLUG

(on how to pronounce his last name)

It's (Kloog).

(on how many times he has been asked that)

Pretty much every time it gets brought up.

(on why he didn't work out at the Combine)

I had a strained right hamstring.

(on how the injury is now)

It's 100 percent now.  It's good.  It is ready to go.

(on the comparison to Kyle Vanden Bosch)

Yeah, that is a pretty big comparison, you know.  I'll see what I can do to live up to those expectations.  I try to put my best foot forward every day at practice and games and just try my best really.

(on if the high motor is one of his strengths)

Yeah, I definitely think so.  I remember my D-coordinator here at Iowa, I took it as a compliment, he said, ‘Klug remember the reason why you're here, you're here because of your high motor, not because of your skill set.'

(on the coaches describing him as a pest and nuisance to offensive linemen)

That is humbling too.  Anytime you can get a compliment like that that is definitely humbling.  Like I said, I'm just out there competing.  That is all I can do.

(on playing defensive tackle in college and possibly moving to defensive end in the NFL)

I would be more than happy to do that.  I played a little end when I first got here.  I played all in high school, so I am comfortable playing on the outside at the end spot.  I'll just have to work at it again and get used to it again.  It won't be a problem.

(on how much he played defensive end at Iowa)

I played D-tackle at Iowa, but in my beginning years I did play defensive end for a little bit.

(on where he thought he would go in the draft)

To tell you the truth, I was really anxious just waiting for my name to be called because with the lockout this year, I wasn't sure if I was going to be drafted.  I wasn't sure if I was going to have to wait until June or whenever the lockout ended.  I was just happy to hear my name called.

(on if he was bracing himself not to be drafted)

I was hoping for the best and expecting the worst.  I was hearing a lot of different things, so I was actually expecting not to be drafted.  It was definitely a huge relief to see my name called and hear my name called.

(on his communication with the Titans through the process)

I had some interviews with them down at the Shrine Game and at the Combine too.  I stayed in contact with them a little bit through this whole process.

(on what other teams were interested)

I've had some other teams that were talking to me about there.  I had teams talking to me about SAM linebacker and defensive line.  There were teams talking to me.

(on if he knows Mitch King)

Yeah.  Some people were talking and saying that me and him were pretty similar as far as being a ‘tweener' and not sure what position we would play.  I heard when he went to Tennessee he did good there, but it didn't work out.

(on what he knows about the Titans) 

They are in Nashville.  They were the Houston Oilers and the Tennessee Titans now.  They have a new head coach recently.  I'm just excited to be a Titan, really.

(on if he has been to Nashville)

Yeah, I have been to Nashville on the way back from I want to say the Outback Bowl.  We stopped because my girlfriend has family in Nashville and we stayed there.