Buffs Developing Plenty Of Depth At Inside, Outside Linebacker

BOULDER — Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells once said, "I like linebackers. I collect 'em. You can't have too many good ones."

It may be just coincidence, but Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre, one of Parcells' former assistants, appears to be embracing the same philosophy. The Buffs are fairly loaded at linebacker this year, both inside and out, with a group that includes a healthy dose of veterans and a long list of promising youngsters.

Like Parcells, MacIntyre runs a base 3-4 scheme that requires a variety of talents at the position. Inside linebackers are run stoppers who must also drop into pass coverage on occasion and even once in a while blitz on passing downs. Outside 'backers must set the edge and make sure running backs and quarterbacks don't get free outside, while also being premier pass rushers as well as being capable of dropping into pass coverage on a tight end or running back.

"You need good ones and you need a lot of them in a 3-4," MacIntyre said. "We think we have a pretty good group."

Inside, there is no shortage of experience for the Buffs, as seniors Drew Lewis and Rick Gamboa both return from starting roles last season, when Lewis led the team in tackles (119) and Gamboa was second (117). Lewis also had a pair of sacks, two tackles for loss, eight third-down stops and four passes broken up, while Gamboa led the team in third-down stops with 10, along with seven pass breakups and five quarterback pressures.

Both have had solid springs thus far.

There is also some promising young talent inside, beginning with sophomores Nate Landman and Akil Jones. Landman saw some substantial playing time down the stretch last season and showed a definite nose for the ball, finishing with 17 tackles on 79 defensive snaps, including four tackles for loss and eight third-down stops.

Lewis, Landman and Jones both had solid performances last weekend in CU's first major scrimmage of the spring, finishing as CU's top three tacklers for the day.

"Nate keeps making plays and Akil Jones was making some plays, which was good to see," MacIntyre noted after the scrimmage.

On the outside, the Buffs have been receiving notable spring efforts from Nu'umoto Falo, Jacob Callier, Carson Wells and Dante Sparaco.

Falo, a junior, returns to the program after a year's absence and appears to be among the leaders for a starting spot. Callier is a sophomore who had one sack, five tackles and a team-high 11 quarterback pressures last year in a pass-rush specialist role. Sparaco played early last year as a true freshman and showed good pass rush skills before being sidelined with a hand injury while Wells is a redshirt freshman.

All four had their moments in the scrimmage, with Sparaco recording a sack and Wells plucking off an interception.

Throw in junior college transfer Davion Taylor, who has already found a home at the hybrid safety-linebacker Buff back spot, and it's a talented group.

CU coaches are working with a variety of combinations both inside and outside. Saturday, they took at look at Landman and Lewis together on the field for a few series.

"I feel like it was a pretty good scrimmage for the defense," said Lewis, who is making his run defense a priority this spring. "Nate and I were in there for a while, I think we've got some good chemistry. Davion stands out almost every day. He had some good plays. Nate really had a good day today."

Lewis tailed off at the end of last season, which led to CU coaches giving Landman a little more playing time, particularly in obvious run situations.

This spring, Lewis believes he has made progress in that regard.

"I'm getting better at reading the offensive linemen, their stances kind of give it away," Lewis said. "I can see who's pulling and who's not. I'm getting better at that without Rick's help. Rick's good at calling that stuff out, so I'm trying to get that stuff down so we can both have it in our heads."

The Buffs have six practices left this spring. They will work out again Wednesday and Friday before Saturday's "Spring Showcase," set to begin at 1 p.m. at Folsom Field. The event will also be televised by the Pac-12 Networks.

They will then wrap up their spring session with three practices the following week.

Contact: Neill.Woell@Colorado.edu