Position Preview: Buffs Loaded At Inside Linebacker

BOULDER — While the Colorado Buffaloes must replace a host of starters on both sides of the ball this year, one place that will not be lacking in experience, depth and quality players will be inside linebacker.

The Buffs are loaded at the position.

Back from last year are the Buffs' two leading tacklers in 2017, senior Drew Lewis (119 stops, two sacks and two additional tackles for loss) and senior Rick Gamboa (117 tackles and a team-high 10 third-down stops). The two also led the team in defensive snaps played, with Gamboa on the field for 847 snaps and Lewis for 821.

By themselves, Gamboa and Lewis offer Buffs fans plenty of reason for optimism at the position. But the Buffs also have two quality sophomores likely to get their share of snaps in Nate Landman and Akil Jones, both of whom saw some time last year. Landman, in particular, will almost certainly see his playing time increase significantly as CU coaches do their best to make sure the rotation stays fresh — something that was an issue by the end of last season.

"I think we're going to rotate some other guys in — Nate and Akil — and get them in the mix a little more so we're all out there making plays and we'll all be a little more fresh through the season," Lewis said. "Rick and I played about 800 snaps each last year, and I played a lot of special teams. It adds up eventually and can take a toll. I think we'll all be fresher for a lot longer, which means we'll all be ready to make some plays."

It is a diverse group. Lewis, 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, is one of the best overall athletes on the team, blessed with excellent speed and strength. The 6-0, 230-pound Gamboa's knowledge of the defense has earned him a reputation as a coach on the field, a player upon whom teammates depend to get the defense in the right position.

The 6-3, 220-pound Landman, meanwhile, has already earned a reputation as a big hitter (he won the team's "Outstanding Toughness" award in spring ball) while also earning praise from coaches for his playmaking instincts. Jones, 6-0, 230, is a solid presence who has also shown a nose for the ball.

"I think we have a good mix of older guys with a lot of experience and some young, really talented young guys who have a lot of hunger," said Gamboa, who was selected as a team captain by his teammates for the second year in a row. "It's a good mix. Everybody knows each other, we know what's expected. I think we'll go out as a unit from the very beginning. I think we can surprise a lot of people this year."

While Gamboa and Lewis have already proven what they can do, CU's coaches are anxious to see more of Landman this year. The Monte Vista, Calif., product saw most of his action in CU's last two games in 2017, when he collected 11 of his tackles, including an eight-tackle effort against Utah (six unassisted).

"Nate Landman is an excellent player," head coach Mike MacIntyre said at CU's Media Day. "He's long, he's big, he has phenomenal instincts, he has a burst to the ball and when he gets there, he arrives there in a bad mood. He's a really good football player. I enjoy watching him. We have two more excellent inside linebackers in Rick Gamboa and Drew Lewis, but we're going to rotate Nate in there."

Landman turned his last year with his ability to get to the ball and make plays. That instinct, he said, is something that has always been a part of his game.

Part of it, he said, is a credit to his father, who played international rugby in Zimbabwe (Nate was born in Zimbabwe), and he comes from an athletic family. His sister swam for Oregon State and a brother played football at Arizona State.

"My dad was a pretty good athlete, and I give him a lot of credit for my athletic ability," Landman said. "I've had some great coaches growing up and I've been playing the game since I was a little kid. Just learning for so many years, I've been able to put that inside me and just let my body do what it needs to do."

This will be the second year for CU's defense under the direction of coordinator D.J. Eliot, and the second for the inside linebackers under the tutelage of Ross Els.

"I think we all have a much better understanding of what's going on with D.J. as the defensive coordinator," Lewis said. "That first year, it's getting used to what he's saying, what he's installing and how he's doing it. Now, I think we're all buying in. It's the same with Coach Els. He's a great coach and he makes it as easy for us as he can. He's simplifying our defense even more and I think that's going to allow us to make those game-changing plays."

Along with the returning vets, the Buffs will also bolster their depth with some quality in redshirt freshmen Jonathan Van Diest and Chase Newman, as well as several highly regarded incoming freshmen.

WHO'S BACK: Senior Rick Gamboa, senior Drew Lewis, sophomore Nate Landman, sophomore Akil Jones, redshirt freshman Jonathan Van Diest, sophomore Jacob Stoltenberg, redshirt freshman Chase Newman.

WHO'S NEW: Freshmen Clyde Moore, Jake Yurachek and Colby Keiter.

EARLY CAMP DEPTH CHART: Inside 'Jack' linebacker: Drew Lewis, Akil Jones, Jonathan Van Diest, Colby Keiter, Jake Yurachek. Inside 'Mike' linebacker: Rick Gamboa, Nate Landman, Chase Newman, Clyde Moore.

WHAT'S IN STORE: This group should be a strength of the defense, both against the run (a trouble spot last year) as well as getting to the passer and dropping into coverage when necessary. It is a talented bunch with plenty of depth, and they have the potential to be a big-play bunch. If they can turn that potential into production, it will bode well for the entire defense.

STAT TO REMEMBER: Two years ago, ILB Kenneth Olugbode led the team with 857 defensive snaps but Gamboa — while a starter — played just 499. Also getting plenty of time that year was Addison Gillam, who was on the field for 393 snaps. It won't be a surprise to see Landman slip into a Gillam-type role as CU coaches take advantage of his playmaking instincts while also utilizing the depth they have built at the position to keep players fresh for entire games (and the entire season).

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu