AMES (ISU) — The Iowa State linebacking duo of A.J. Klein and Jake Knott are part of the reason that the Cyclones’ linebackers are rated second nationally as a group by Lindy’s College Football Preview. Both were named as first-team All-Big 12 selections. Klein was voted second-team All-American.

“Arguably the two best linebackers in the Big 12 — and one of the most productive tandems in the nation — play in Ames. Senior A.J. Klein (116 tackles, 7.5 for loss) was the Big 12’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, and senior Jake Knott (115 tackles, four forced fumbles) was also a first-team All-Big 12 pick.”

Klein is rated as the second-best inside linebacker nationally and Knott the seventh-best outside linebacker in the country.