Heisman candidate Collin Klein hopes to have NFL future

• NFL draft analysts almost unanimously give Kansas State QB Collin Klein a late-round grade

BALTIMORE -- Collin Klein was a good sport about the whole thing.

Former Baltimore Colts wide receiver Jimmy Orr concluded his meandering address at the 26th annual Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ceremony by poking fun at the Kansas State quarterback, who had his first kiss only after he had married his wife last summer.

Said Orr, 77, "Once a reporter called me asking about Johnny (Unitas) taking too many risks with the football. Collin didn't kiss his wife until they were at the altar… Now that's a risk."

Often called the "Tim Tebow of the Midwest," Klein would like to avoid comparisons to the New York Jets quarterback, though he understands the connection.

"I know what's most important to both of us is our faith and our relationship to our Lord and Savior," he says, "but I try not to compare too much to any player because I want to be the best Collin Klein I can possibly be. That's not going to be Tim Tebow or anyone else."

Klein smiled and laughed at Orr's jab while his wife sat nearby offstage. But he won't be so amenable if an NFL team wants him to play anything but quarterback next year. The 6-5 passer began his college career as a receiver.

"I'm a quarterback. I love to play quarterback," he said. "I love the mental game that comes with the position. That's where my heart is."

Klein was awarded the Golden Arm trophy by a six-person selection committee organized by Unitas' son, John Jr., in recognition of Klein's work on and off the field at Kansas State, where he led the Wildcats to an 11-1 record this season, passing for 2,490 yards, rushing for 890 yards and scoring 37 combined touchdowns.

Klein is one of three finalists for the Heisman on Saturday evening but is unlikely to beat out front-runners Manti Te'o and Johnny Manziel.

Draft analysts almost unanimously give Klein a late-round grade, based on an elongated delivery (sound familiar?) and wavering accuracy on his deep ball. He says he's looking forward to a senior game and his pro day, and though he's not sure if he'll be able to run the ball in the NFL as effectively as he did in college, Klein hopes to get an opportunity to try.

"It depends on the system and what I'm asked to do," he says. "I'll do anything. We've thrown it a lot more this year and pretty well. I don't know if I can run it in the pros like I have been able to at the college level. I know there are a lot of guys – Colin Kaepernick, RG3, Cam Newton – a lot of those guys have had some success with it. But my carries are down from a year ago, and I would expect that to continue."