Young Cyclones duo looking to take charge at linebacker

AMES - For the amount of time they are around one another as teammates it's no wonder Jake Knott and A.J. Klein decided against living in the same apartment.

Classmates, roommates a year ago, position mates as Iowa State's starting linebackers - they needed a break from one another, at least during sleeping hours.

“We spend enough time together,” Knott said.

They still aren't far apart, living across the street from one another.

“We've talked about rooming together again next year. We'll see what happens,” said Klein, who gets his first start Thursday against Northern Illinois.

It figures to be the first of many for the sophomore duo. With all linebackers from last season out of eligibility, Knott and Klein have prepared themselves for this moment. It is their time - now and for the foreseeable future.

“I see it as an opportunity,” Klein said. “We have another three years. It's a good feeling knowing we are going to be here this long and have a good thing going right now.”

Both played in every game last season, primarily on special teams.

Knott, an all-state recruit from Waukee, finished with 23 tackles. Klein, of Kimberly, Wis., had 17 tackles and caused and recovered a fumble.

Their closeness off the field extends to time in a helmet and shoulder pads. Verbal or non-verbal, they have a pretty good idea what the other is thinking.

“That helps out a lot with the communication,” Knott said. “We'll look at each other before a play and know what's going on. It's pretty cool knowing the guy next to you is going through the exact same thing you are mentally and physically.”

The similarities don't seem to end with these two. They are listed at just over 6-feet tall at 240 pounds and will bookend junior middle linebacker Matt Tau'fo'ou in traditional 4-3 defensive alignments.

Tau'fo'ou joined the team last year but red-shirted because of injury. The three players are crucial to the team's defensive success this season. There is little experience behind them, though freshmen like Jeremiah George have shown promise through training camp, Coach Paul Rhoads said.

“We want to get better every single year and build a championship program,” Klein said.

That'll be a challenge this season with the competition the Cyclones will be facing. Four teams in the AP preseason Top 10 - Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Iowa - are on ISU's schedule. Three of those games are away from home.

“You have to beat the best to be the best,” Klein said. “We look at it as an opportunity. “