One hundred percent is a relative term for Jake Knott.
The star Iowa State linebacker rarely is at it during the season, and over the past couple of years he has dealt with offseason surgeries that had him limited at the season’s start.
Knott had his shoulder operated on this year, but the senior is healed and looking forward to a big season after missing all of spring practice.
“I’ve got all my strength back and I’m doing some intense workouts. I’m getting after it,” Knott said.
“I’ve been hurt every summer going into fall camp and had some kind of limitation. I’ve never been where I think I could be at going into the season. I finally feel like this is going to be the year. I’ve been taking care of myself and made sure I’m 100 percent.”
If Knott was able to start every game, compile 115 tackles (third-best in the Big 12) and impact the game in the ways he did a year ago with a broken down body, think what he’ll be able to do this fall if fully healthy.
Knott’s been an all-conference player the past two years and would love nothing more than to keep the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year award — shared last season by linebacking mate A.J. Klein — in Ames. He and Klein have been together since they first arrived at ISU, played as true freshmen and started as sophomores.
They form one of the best linebacking pairs in college football.
“I don’t know if many linebackers have quite as much experience playing with each other and being around each other as much as me and A.J.,” Knott said. “I think that goes a long way in putting us near the top as one of the best duos in the nation.”
Their last game — a loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl — helped further fuel offseason desire.
“That loss really humbled and hungered our team,” Knott said. “It’s something we can always look back on. We don’t want that feeling again.”
Knott is extremely athletic, has a nose for the ball, and the numbers speak for themselves. Pro scouts will be looking for a huge final season for Knott.
“I don’t even think I’ve touched where I can get to,” Knott said. “The type of workouts I’ve been doing are going to make sure I’m by far the fastest and strongest I’ve ever been.”