Collin Klein, the Kansas State quarterback who was a star in a spread-option offense in college but whose abilities as a passer leave much to be desired in the eyes of NFL scouts, remains committed to playing quarterback at the next level. And he thinks NFL teams are starting to come around to the idea that he can do it.
Klein told the Topeka Capital-Journal that he believes he has impressed scouts at the Combine and at Kansas State’s Pro Day.
“I felt like I had two good days,” Klein said. “I made progress and really improved, before the Combine first and then in the time between the Combine and Pro Day we made some strides, too. We’re moving in the right direction. It’s different not being in school, but it gives me a little extra time to focus and work on little things here and there. It’s a pretty all-inclusive process, but we’re enjoying it. I just love the game. We’re getting better and having fun with it.”
Klein said his workouts with former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer have helped get him ready to play the game at the next level.
“We did everything,” Klein said. “We worked on footwork, core strength, flexibility with the shoulder . . . lots of different things. It was pretty all-inclusive and he taught me a lot. He gave great insight from him having been there [the NFL] and doing that for a very long time. I really appreciated his time and his effort working with me.”
Although Klein still believes he is going to get drafted, he acknowledged that it’s possible he’ll have to settle for being an undrafted free agent.
“I think we’ll definitely get a chance and it’s just being ready and making the most of it,” Klein said. “We’ll see where the best fit is going to be. Teams are out there trying to figure out who’s the best fit for them, too. It will all settle out. If that doesn’t happen, we’ll try to get picked up as a free agent on some level. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
So just a few months after the Heisman Trophy voters considered Klein the third-best player in college football, Klein is just hoping NFL teams consider him one of the 254 best players available in the draft.