Randy Peterson

rpeterson@dmreg.com

AMES, Ia. — Iowa State turned out more all-Big 12 linebackers than anyone during a nine-season run between 2005 and 2013.

A.J. Klein, Jake Knott and Jeremiah George. Jesse Smith, Ace Bowen and Tim Dobbins.

They all intercepted at least one pass during their careers. Klein recorded a pick-six four times.

Six rough-and-tough linebackers, but keep reading:

Klein, Knott, George, Bowen and Dobbins played in the NFL.

Klein, Knott, George and Smith combined for five first-team selections. Knott, Bowen and Dobbins represented five second-team spots.

Ten all-conference picks. Five pros.

Linebacker U?

That’d be an exaggeration, but it was am ISU defensive strength not long ago. Oklahoma had nine linebacker all-conference picks over those nine seasons. Texas had seven.

I repeat: Iowa State had 10, but the last two years?

Oklahoma, West Virginia, Kansas and Texas Christian boasted the first-team linebackers. Texas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Baylor, Oklahoma State and TCU had second-team picks.

Iowa State?

Crickets.

It’s high time that changes, and Willie Harvey just might be the guy that does it.

The sophomore-to-be started eight games last season. He had 59 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks.

He was good, but not great. Consistency was lacking. He sometimes played reckless. Everyone, including Harris, had tackling flaws.

But there were signs that he might eventually become one of Iowa State’s linebacker “elites,” as former teammate Levi Peters called Harvey. He had eight tackles and two sacks against Kansas. He had 10 tackles against Texas Tech.

“Fierce competitor,” Peters once said. “Keep your eye on Willie.”

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This spring, the Floridian has been on a mission to live up to the rep Cyclone linebackers before him established.

He’s been a sure-handed tackler. He’s made tailbacks think twice about invading his turf. He’s had a hand on a pass or two from Joel Lanning and Zeb Noland.

“If there’s one guy that’s shown up and had as good a spring as anybody, it’s Willie Harvey,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said. “Willie’s end potential is as great as he wants it to be — as good as any linebacker that I’ve been able to coach in terms of natural ability and instincts.

“We need that, because it’s a position area that’s a concern right now. Willie has played at a high rate, consistently throughout spring practice.

“I’m really proud of what he’s done.”

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At 6-foot and 230 pounds, Harvey not only looks the part, but plays the part.

“The guy can hit,” tailback Mike Warren said last season. “When you get tackled by Willie, you know it.”

Campbell’s defensive staff is looking for as many quick defenders as they can find to combat Big 12 spread, quick-tempo offenses. Harvey fits that, too.

“He can run," linebackers coach Tyson Veidt said. "That makes him stand out for sure. He’s 230 pounds, too, so he’s doing it with a big body.”

Harvey takes all this complimentary stuff in stride, like 247sports.com once calling him the “most unsung member of the 2014 recruiting class.”

He knows all-conference teams aren’t picked from a handful of good spring practices.

"I just want to be a playmaker for my team," Harvey told reporters recently. "I've put in a lot of work that has put me above a couple of guys."

He’s not above the Kleins, Knotts, Georges, Smiths and Dobbinses of Iowa State’s linebacking world. But there’s no reason to believe he can’t sometime soon make an all-conference name for himself.

Cyclones columnist Randy Peterson has been reporting on ISU during the past five decades. Follow @RandyPete.

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