A new group of linebackers are masking progress during spring drills at Iowa State. The Cyclones must replace all three linebackers from last year’s team that capped a 7-6 season with a victory over Minnesota in the Insight Bowl.
Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads says they show their youth and inexperience, and he says as a position group it takes longer to figure it out there than any other spot and he thinks they are learning. Jake Knott saw time last year as a true freshman and he is the starter at weak side linebacker Knott says it has been hard, but everyone came in prepared from playing special teams and practicing last season.
Knott says as a group they are trying to make progress every day. He says the coach always preaches continuous improvement and they are tyring to get to that level.
Strong side linebacker A.J. Klein says as a group they will offer a different style. He says they will be able to do some things they weren’t able to do last year. Klein says the linebackers are getting a better grasp on the entire defensive package. He says they didn’t have a good grasp of the defense last year, and they will be able to make more plays by being in the right spots.
The Cyclones conclude spring drills with an intrasquad game on Saturday.