Former Kansas State defensive end Ryan Mueller tries to impress NFL scouts at linebacker

MANHATTAN – One of the few regrets Ryan Mueller has about his Kansas State football career is that he only played one position.

Though he became a star at defensive end for the Wildcats and is now a NFL prospect because of his pass-rushing skills, Mueller would have preferred to also play linebacker, fullback, tight end and special teams. Much like high school, when he seemingly lined up everywhere, he always wanted to be on the field.

That attitude made it easy to keep an open mind when NFL scouts at the Medal of Honor Bowl peppered him with questions about switching to outside linebacker in the NFL.

“My answer was always, ‘I feel like I can do that and do that well,’” Mueller said. “I am certainly capable of playing outside linebacker, I was just never given the opportunity to do that at Kansas State. Look at how good I was at creating chaos for opposing offenses lined up at defensive end. I can do the same at linebacker.”

Some NFL prospects are hesitant to change positions. Not Mueller. He is willing to create chaos anywhere.

“I am humbled to play any position they offer, even if it’s water boy,” Mueller said. “Wherever you need me, I would love to do it. Seriously, I’m up for anything. Playing in the NFL would be a total privilege and an honor.”

Mueller, a 6-foot-2, 245-pounder from Leawood, is all-in on a switch to linebacker. He has spent the past two months training and improving his diet in Tennessee. He has learned how to cover receivers and running backs on short routes, something he rarely attempted at K-State. And he also recently spent time with pass-rush specialist Chuck Smith in Atlanta.

The goal was to increase his athleticism and learn as much as he could before returning to Kansas State for the team’s pro day on Tuesday.

“I am certainly excited to perform and show the scouts what I am capable of doing,” Mueller said, “and being able to prove what I put out on film and on my tape can translate to the NFL.”

Mueller was not invited to the NFL Combine in February, so this is his best opportunity to impress.

“It’s of the upmost importance,” Mueller said. “Having your best numbers on pro day is crucial.”

By adding speed, he thinks he has the skill set and size to do exactly that and make it at a new position.

“I have been working on my footwork and my hips,” Mueller said. “I am being more flexible and more fluent. When I watch myself on tape, I am certainly looking the part. I am athletic enough to backpedal five yards and cover sideline to sideline. I’m fairly good at doing that.”

History is filled with examples of successful college defensive ends making the transition to standup linebacker in the NFL. The positions are similar and both involve pass-rushing. Mueller wants to be next.

In some ways, the challenge reminds him of his initial years at Kansas State, when he joined the team as a walk-on. He was trying to prove himself worthy of playing time and a scholarship, eventually working so hard that he earned both. He became one of the top defensive ends in the nation as a junior, piling up 18.5 tackles for loss and tying K-State’s single-season sack record with 11.5. He also forced four fumbles on his way to Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year honors.

He was unable to sustain those numbers as a senior while facing increased double teams, but his 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks were both team highs.

At best, Mueller says experts have told him he will be a seventh-round pick. At worst, he will have to earn his way onto a roster as an undrafted free agent.

He is trying to prove himself all over again.

“You have to be confident in your abilities to play this game, especially at this stage,” Mueller said. “I’m not lacking any confidence whatsoever. I think I am more than capable of playing on Sundays and being a productive player in the NFL.

“Certainly K-State has helped me and put me in this position, but close isn’t good enough. You either make it or you don’t at this level. I don’t want to look back saying I was close. That is not my mindset. I want to make it. I’m proud of how far I have come, but I want to complete the journey.”

This story was originally published March 9, 2015 at 11:25 AM with the headline "Former Kansas State defensive end Ryan Mueller tries to impress NFL scouts at linebacker."