LB Landman Embraces Role As A Leader On Buffs Defense

BOULDER — Colorado junior Nate Landman is taking his job as a team leader very seriously.

It's a role that comes naturally to CU's preseason first-team All-Pac-12 linebacker (Phil Steele).

"Growing up, even when I was 6 or 7 and on through high school, I always felt that role brought out the best in me," Landman said earlier this week after a morning conditioning workout. "I think it's a role where I fit in and thrive. I think it's what makes my game different. With some people, that role puts pressure on them, but I think it makes me better. It It helps my game improve."

Landman, one of two Buffs defenders named first-team preseason all-conference (defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson is the other), burst onto the scene in a hurry last year as a sophomore starter. He finished as Colorado's leading tackler with 123 stops, including 13 tackles for loss with four sacks. He also had a team-leading two interceptions along with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Now, he and fellow junior Johnson are the clear leaders on a defense that must bounce back from a 2018 season that saw Colorado give up more than 30 points per game in Pac-12 play. New head coach Mel Tucker and defensive coordinator Tyson Summers have made it clear they want that number to significantly improve, and it will no doubt be a priority when the Buffs hit the field Aug. 1 for their first practice of fall camp.

"This is a big year," said Landman, who will join Buffs wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. as CU's player representatives at next week's Pac-12 media day in Los Angeles. "Being an upperclassman and being a leader of this defense is exciting. Coming off the spring, I took that role and I can't wait to expand on it and help the new guys grow. I want to help them grow and help myself grow and fall camp is a great opportunity for that. That's where it starts and we're going to take that momentum from fall camp and carry it through the whole season."

Actually, the Buffs have been building that momentum since the day Tucker took the job after last season. CU's new head coach began emphasizing a "fourth quarter" physical mentality from the beginning. That included a nine-week strength and conditioning session before spring ball, then a grueling summer program that every player readily agrees is the most difficult they have seen in their time in Boulder.

The result, Landman said, is that the 2019 Buffs will have an "edge" that might have been missing the last couple of years.

"This team has a much different vibe than it had two years ago when I got here," Landman said. "Last year, we had a great brotherhood and great team dynamics, but I don't think we had that winning competitive edge. That just fell off as the season went on."

Tucker has changed that in a hurry.

"We see our coach wants to be a champion and he's doing everything he can to be a champion," Landman said. "He's got Drew (Wilson, strength and conditioning coach) setting a championship mindset into us and the leaders are setting that same type of mindset. It's trickling down and everybody is buying into this program and buying into being a Pac-12 championship team."

Landman has embraced his part in establishing that mindset. He has spent countless extra hours studying the playbook and film to familiarize himself with the duties of every defensive position, and has made sure he sets a strong example in summer workouts.

"Your actions speak louder than words," Landman said. "Drew has emphasized that a lot. Younger guys and even older guys who aren't sure what it takes will look up to people who have been here and had that on-field success. They'll start copying what you are doing. With my offseason training, I try to be the best leader I can be, and not only bring myself as a leader, but also guys like (outside linebacker) Carson Wells and Mustafa. Guys are looking up to them, too. You can't do it alone and I think we have some great leaders."

As for his on-the-field duties, Landman has done his best to absorb as much of CU's new defense as possible. His knowledge of the nuances of the 3-4 scheme were apparent in spring ball, and now he believes he can take it to the next level in training camp.

"Toward the end of spring, I started to feel real comfortable with it," he said. "Taking control, being the coaches' set of eyes on the field. I think it will be a lot smoother in fall camp. As a linebacker, you have to help the D-line and the secondary, and I'm doing my best to learn everybody's position. That actually helps take the pressure off me because when I know everybody is doing their responsibilities, I can focus more on my game. It allows me to play faster and my teammates to play faster."

Landman and his teammates admit the summer conditioning session has been a long one. It has been a major priority for Tucker, who believes that being a well-conditioned team is the only way to make winning plays in the fourth quarter.

Next, they will see how the work they have done thus far will translate to the field when they put on their pads.

"I can't wait," Landman said. "You can see it on everybody's face in there — they're done with the field training. Coaches have done a great job preparing us. I think that's what definitely set the bar over the last week, week and a half. Everybody feels great and in shape and we all just want to play football."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu