Position Preview: Buffs Have Options At Outside 'Backer
August 20, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — At a position that requires the agility to rush the passer, the strength to play stout against the run and the speed to drop into pass coverage when necessary, the Colorado Buffaloes should have plenty of options this year.
There is no shortage of potential at outside linebacker. The question defensive coordinator/outside linebackers coach D.J. Eliot must answer is what kind of rotation he will use to best utilize the players he has at the position.
"I like where we're at," Eliot said. "We have some players who have some talent and a little experience and we've got some guys that are new to the position. We've been emphasizing setting edges in the run game and pass rush. I think our guys have the right mentality, the right work ethic and the right concentration to get better and to be successful."
Eliot has a diverse group with which to work this year. It includes sophomore Jacob Callier, who played nearly 200 snaps at the position last year; junior Nu'umoto Falo Jr., who played 257 snaps in 2016; redshirt freshman Carson Wells; and junior college transfer Alex Tchangam.
And, in one of the more intriguing moves of camp, the Buffs recently began utilizing senior Drew Lewis at the spot. Lewis last year led CU in tackles as in inside linebacker, and his speed and strength will make him a solid weapon on the edge. Lewis could playing both spots this year, sliding to the outside when CU plays its base 3-4, then moving inside in nickel situations.
"Carson Wells has made big strides from last year," Eliot said. "Jacob Callier has his weight down and is rushing the passer well. Nu'umoto has made a lot of improvement from the spring, and Alex Tchangam has done some things well. Then, with Drew in there, it gives us some options."
Odds are, the Buffs will utilize all of those players to some degree. Callier is a pass rush specialist who had just one sack a year ago, but led the team in quarterback pressures with 11. Falo is a big (6-3, 240 pounds), powerful presence who can play the run and get to the passer, while Wells added 25 pounds of muscle to his frame and has had a solid all-around camp.
Also expected to be a big factor is Buff back Davion Taylor, an athletic linebacker/safety combination who has shown a knack for getting to the quarterback.
"Great athleticism, great speed, he's strong and has good size for his speed," Eliot said of the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Taylor. "We're going to try to get him in position to make plays and use his athleticism."
While the Buffs play a base 3-4 defense, they line up in a variety of formations depending on the situation. In the past couple of years, they have often had just one true outside 'backer on the field while utilizing the Buff back depending upon the down and distance.
"We have outside 'backers with different skill sets and they'll be used accordingly, based on what the game plan is or who the opponent is or what the situation is," Eliot said. "That's a good thing to have that type of versatility at the position. We'll put them in the best position possible to use their strengths."
WHO'S BACK: Senior Drew Lewis, junior Nu'umoto Falo Jr., sophomore Jacob Callier, redshirt freshmen Carson Wells and Nick Edridge.
WHO'S NEW: Junior college transfers Davion Taylor and Alex Tchangam.
PENCIL DEPTH CHART: Lewis, Callier or Falo, Edridge; Wells, Tchangam.
WHAT'S IN STORE: Improving the pass rush has been a top priority in camp, and the Buffs have made some solid strides in this regard. There could be instances when they bring Lewis from one side and Taylor from the other, giving Colorado the potential for an outstanding one-two punch off the edge. Callier also fits into that equation while Wells and Falo give CU a big, physical presence on the outside. It will be interesting to see what kind of combinations Eliot uses in different situations.
STAT TO REMEMBER: Colorado got just six sacks from its outside linebackers last year. That's a number that needs to improve significantly — and this is a group with the potential to do just that.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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