Carolina tabs ISU's A.J. Klein

Iowa State linebacker A.J. Klein was selected in the fifth round by the Carolina Panthers in the  NFL draft.

Klein, a two-time, first-team all-Big 12 selection from Kimberly, Wis., recorded 361 tackles in four seasons to rank fourth all-time at Iowa State. He tied the NCAA record for career interception returns for touchdowns by a linebacker (four). Klein (6-2, 248) was the Big 12's 2011 co-defensive player of the year. He finished his Iowa State career with 17 games of double-digit tackles.

Klein's selection marks the second consecutive season Iowa State has at least one draft pick. Offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele was picked in the second round last year by the Baltimore Ravens. Osemele started at guard in the Super Bowl this year. Klein is the first ISU linebacker drafted since Buffalo picked Alvin Bowen in the fifth round in 2008.

[View the story "Iowa State's Klein selected by Panthers" on Storify]

Iowa State's Klein selected by Panthers

A.J. Klein is an NFL draft pick, in the fifth round, No. 148

Storified by CR Gazette Sports· Sat, Apr 27 2013 12:11:47

Congrats to A.J. Klein, a fifthround selection of the Carolina Panthers! #CycloneNationCyclone Football#Panthers select Iowa State LB A.J. Klein with the 148th overall pick.Carolina PanthersTodd McShay on A.J. Klein: "I think this is a really good pick." #CyclonesChris Williams148. Carolina Panthers - LB A.J. Klein, Iowa St.: Nice value this late in the draft, especially considering Beason's uncertainty. AMatthew Jones