Colorado University Athletics
2016 In Review: Buffs Linebackers Delivered Against The Run And Pass
December 24, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
As the No. 10 Colorado Buffaloes continue preparations for their Dec. 29 Valero Alamo Bowl meeting with No. 12 Oklahoma State, we take a position-by-position look at the team that produced one of the most dramatic turnaround seasons in college football history. Today, we look at linebackers:
WHAT WE KNEW IN AUGUST: With what amounted to three returning starters at the two inside spots and a pair of returning starters on the outside, the general consensus was that linebacker would be a strength for the Buffs in 2016.
Nothing that happened in August swayed that belief. The Buffs were in the rare position of having the leading tackler from the previous three seasons — three different players — all on the roster at inside linebacker. It meant not only plenty of experience and depth, but quality experience and depth.
If there was a question in camp, it was how inside linebacker Addison Gillam (the Buffs' leading tackler in 2013) would bounce back from a knee injury that ended his season after two games in 2015.
But overall, the Buffs felt very comfortable with Kenneth Olugbode (2014 tackle leader) and Rick Gamboa (2015 leader) on the inside and Derek McCartney and Jimmie Gilbert on the outside.
All had excellent camps, although coaches were careful to limit the repetitions for Gillam and McCartney in an effort to keep them healthy.
Otherwise, CU coaches liked the progress they saw from sophomore Gamboa, who had been thrust into starting duty as a redshirt freshman, and Olugbode had added a few pounds of muscle. On the outside, Gilbert — who led the Buffs in sacks in 2015 — looked to be ready to take his game up another notch and McCartney appeared poised to have an outstanding year.
The Buffs were also developing some depth. On the inside, juco transfer Drew Lewis showed promise while N.J. Falo and Terran Hasselbach were making strides outside.
WHAT WE SAW THIS SEASON: From the very start, CU's linebackers made it clear they would have an impact. Olugbode opened with a six-tackle effort that included a quarterback sack in CU's 44-7 win over Colorado State, and Gamboa had five tackles and Gilbert had a sack and forced fumble.
As the season progressed, CU's linebacking corps proved to be the perfect complement to the Buffs big interior line. The Buffs' ILBs were outstanding against the run while the OLBs proved more than adept at rushing the passer as well as dropping into pass coverage.
The third game of the season, though, delivered a major blow when McCartney suffered a season-ending knee injury. It meant the loss not only of a quality pass rusher, but also someone whose size and speed made him an outstanding run defender on the edge, turning plays inside.
But CU's coaches adjusted. At the suggestion of safeties coach Joe Tumpkin, CU they converted safety Ryan Moeller into a hybrid outside linebacker/nickel back, and the strategy worked. Moeller had a solid game against Oregon, while Olugbode had 13 tackles and Gamboa added 12 in a win over the Ducks.
A week later, Gilbert then broke loose, starting to produce the numbers that would ultimately help him earn first team All-Pac-12 honors. After collecting half a sack against Oregon, he had two sacks and forced fumbles in a win over Oregon State. Before the season was over, he added another two-sack game (Arizona State), and finished with a team-leading 10.5 sacks, 22 third-down stops and six forced fumbles, as well as 51 total tackles and three pass breakups.
Meanwhile, CU's inside 'backers piled up the tackles. Olugbode again finished as the team's leader with 130 (90 unassisted), while Gamboa was second with 79 and Gillam was fifth with 66. Olugbode also had a pair of interceptions to go with a fumble return for a touchdown, Gamboa had an interception return for a score and Gillam had four sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups.
Moeller, meanwhile, was productive in his hybrid role, coming up with 44 tackles — including four for a loss — and a pair of forced fumbles.
Overall, it was a productive group in all phases, another reason CU enjoyed an outstanding defensive year.
WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN 2017: The Buffs should be solid again on the inside, even with the loss of Olugbode to graduation. Gillam and Gamboa both return and Lewis, who played 46 defensive snaps and had one sack, should be ready to be a regular contributor.
On the outside, the Buffs are hoping for the return of a healthy McCartney, and they liked the progress they saw from Falo (12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four third-down stops and three pass breakups) and Hasselbach (three tackles, a third-down stop and a pass breakup).
CU coaches will also be looking for some youngsters to step up and contribute, in particular freshmen Akil Jones, Pookie Maka and Sam Bennion; and there is always the possibility that an incoming freshmen could come in and push for playing time.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
