Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Camp Position Preview: LB Group Talented But Inexperienced
August 14, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When it comes to Colorado's linebackers — inside and outside — there is no doubt plenty of talent and potential on the roster.
But experience? Not so much.
Yes, the Buffs do have a returning starter inside in junior Nate Landman, a preseason first team All-Pac-12 pick. They also have a returning vet on the outside in sophomore Carson Wells, who started six games last season.
But as defensive coordinator Tyson Summers pointed out, the experience level drops rather dramatically after that. It means newcomers and relatively untested returnees could be playing a big role this year in CU's linebacking corps.
"Right now we're in a situation where we really only have three or four guys on the entire defense with significant playing experience," Summers said earlier this week. "Sometimes you hear people act like Landman's a senior, but he's really only played one full year of college football. Carson got some time last year too, but overall, we have very, very little experience across the board. So it doesn't matter if they're a senior or a freshman, they're going to have to be ready to play."
Landman, however, is no doubt a good place to start. After playing 79 snaps on defense as a true freshman, he burst onto the scene last year to lead CU in tackles (123) and interceptions (2), along with recording a pair of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
This year, he's adding the task of calling the defense to his duties, as well as assuming the role of a team leader.
"A leader needs to make sure we're in the right spot and make sure we're motivated, and that's all Nate has to do," inside linebackers coach Ross Els said. "He doesn't have to anything other than his job, and help the guys around him. Everybody thinks he should make every play on the field, but he doesn't have to do that. He just needs to do his job and get everybody lined up. That's what we need from him."
A big question heading into camp was who would line up alongside Landman inside. Thus far, that position has been occupied much of the time by Jonathan Van Diest, a heady sophomore who continually earns the praise of coaches for his work ethic. Also getting good looks inside have been junior college transfers Quinn Perry and Jash Allen, both of whom have been impressive at times, along with junior returning letterman Akil Jones and true freshman Marvin Ham II.
Of that group, only Van Diest (23 defensive snaps last year) and Jones (18) have any Division I experience. Thus, it has required a steep learning curve in fall camp.
"They're working hard," Els said. "They're trying. But we have a bunch of guys rotating in there who have not played in a (Division I) game. It's a big transition from high school and junior college to Power 5 championship football, and it doesn't happen overnight. They're working. But we have a long way to go."
On the outside, position coach Brian Michalowski has a little more experience with which to work. Along with Wells (six starts and 399 snaps last year), the Buffs also have returnees Jacob Callier, Nu'umoto Falo and Alex Tchangam. Callier, a sophomore, played nearly 200 snaps as a true freshman and started two of CU's first four games last year before an injury sidelined him for the season. Falo, a senior, has seen spot duty in his career while Tchangam — who did not play high school football — had 90 defensive snaps last season as a junior after transferring to CU from De Anza Junior College.
Thus far in camp, Wells has been getting the majority of the snaps at the true outside linebacker spot, with Tchangam, Callier, Falo also working into the mix.
One of the big priorities for the OLBs in camp has been an improved pass rush. CU coaches hope Wells, who had 4.5 sacks and a team-leading 13 third-down stops last year, can increase those totals this year.
"Carson is a greatly improved pass rusher from where he was a year ago," Summers said. "One, it's a lot of confidence and I also think a lot of it has to do with experience. He has a much better feel for linemen, a much better feel for how to move his feet."
Callier has also shown a propensity for getting to the quarterback while Tchangam has made a significant jump in his overall game since spring ball.
Also returning is senior Davion Taylor, who started 10 games last year. This season, he is playing what Summers calls the "penny" spot, a combination outside 'backer-defensive back position.
"Davion has worked really, really hard throughout the summer and has improved a lot, especially with all the little things," Summers said. "Even in the spring, there were a lot of things that didn't come natural to him because he hasn't played a lot of football. But I see improvement every day, unbelievable work ethic and desire, and I think he's much improved since the spring."
WHO'S BACK INSIDE LB: Juniors Nate Landman, Akil Jones; Sophomores Jonathan Van Diest, Chase Newman, Devin Lynch; Redshirt freshman Ray Robinson.
WHO'S NEW INSIDE LB: JC transfers Jash Allen, Quinn Perry, Heston Lameta; Freshmen Marvin Ham II, Hayden Waters, Steele Dubar.
WHO'S BACK OUTSIDE LB: Seniors Davion Taylor, Nu'umoto Falo, Alex Tchangam; Sophomores Carson Wells, Jacob Callier;
WHO'S NEW OUTSIDE LB: JC transfer Jamar Montgomery; Freshman Alec Pell, Joshka Gustav.
WHAT'S IN STORE: Pass rush from the outside has been a big emphasis in camp, as has been stopping the run inside. Landman has quickly emerged as a defensive leader, but he'll need help inside. Meanwhile, getting a solid rush off the edge and putting pressure on the quarterback will be a big key to the defense's success. With an inexperienced secondary, the Buffs can't afford to give opposing quarterbacks extra time to throw.
STAT TO REMEMBER: The Buffs had three games last year in which they managed just one sack and another when they did not get to the quarterback at all. All four were losses.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
