CU Buffs position overview: Inside linebackers

At the conclusion of the 2019 football season, Nate Landman took some time to contemplate his future.

Colorado’s standout inside linebacker considered entering the NFL Draft, but ultimately elected to stay in Boulder for his senior season.

“At the end of the day, we thought that the best option for me was to come back and improve my draft stock this year,” Landman said this winter. “I kind of feel like I have some unfinished business at CU, too.”

Concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus have created uncertainty about the 2020 football season, but if and when the Buffaloes get back on the field this year, Landman’s decision to return will be monumental for the defense.

Although sports have been shut down for the time being and stay-at-home orders have been issued around the country, CU continues to prepare for the season and Buffzone is previewing each position group for the Buffs. In this installment, we look at the inside linebackers – a position loaded with experience and talent.

Led by Landman, who was voted first-team All-Pac-12 by coaches last season, the Buffaloes return all of their inside linebackers.

Landman has started all 24 games over the past two years and he’s led the Buffs in tackles both seasons. One of the best inside linebackers in the Pac-12, if not the country, Landman has also stepped up as a team leader and is arguably the heart and soul of CU’s defense.

After posting 123 tackles in 2018, Landman racked up 137 last season – 68 more than anyone else on the team. He finished with 112 solo tackles, which ranks as the second-best single-season total in CU history.

Getting Landman back for his senior year was significant for the Buffs, but it’s not a one-man show at inside linebacker.

Fellow senior Akil Jones finally got an opportunity to make an impact last year and he took advantage. After playing a total of 18 defensive snaps during his first three years in Boulder, Jones became a starter midway through the 2019 season and finished fourth on the team with 61 tackles.

As the Buffs got better on defense in the second half of the season, it was the tandem of Landman and Jones in the middle. Jones had seven tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage and he was effective in putting some pressure on the quarterback.

Now that both are seniors, Landman and Jones project to return as starters, giving CU arguably one of the best duos in the Pac-12.

Junior Jonathan Van Diest will make a push for the starting lineup, though. He began the 2019 season as a starter next to Landman and opened with seven tackles and a game-sealing strip sack in the final minutes of a 52-31 victory against Colorado State. He had 19 tackles on the season.

Van Diest started the first five games, but a nagging ankle injury limited his effectiveness and paved the way for Jones to get on the field. Van Diest played 174 defensive snaps, but only two in the final seven games. He played only on special teams during the second half of the season. Van Diest has dealt with injuries dating back to high school, but is fully healthy and hopes to compete for a starting role.

None of the other inside linebackers got on the field last year, at least defensively, but there is good talent in the group.

Junior Quinn Perry, a junior college transfer last year, could compete for a top backup spot now that he’s acclimated to Division I football. Veterans Chase Newman and Ray Robinson have played on special teams, but will hope to compete for time on defense.

There are also high hopes for redshirt freshmen Marvin Ham II and Alec Pell, who both got a chance to get their feet wet with four games played on special teams last year, allowing them to preserve their redshirt seasons.

True freshman Mister Williams will join the mix when the Buffs return to campus. Although he may have to wait his turn, Williams had an exceptional prep career and comes to CU as a three-star recruit.

With good, young talent waiting in the wings, the Buffs might be in good shape at inside linebacker for years to come. For now, however, they’ve got one of the best linebackers in the conference leading the group and some veteran experience to anchor the defense.

Here’s an initial look at the projected inside linebackers for the 2020 season:

Position: Inside linebackers

Seniors (2019 statistics): Akil Jones, 6-feet, 230 pounds (6 starts, 429 snaps, 61 tackles, 3 TFL, 4 QB pressures); Nate Landman, 6-3, 230 (12 starts, 785 snaps, 137 tackles, 2 sacks, 8 TFL, 4 QB pressures).

Juniors: Chase Newman, 6-2, 220 (9 games played on special teams); Quinn Perry, 6-2, 240 (1 game played on special teams); Jonathan Van Diest, 6-1, 235 (5 starts, 174 snaps, 19 tackles, 1 sack); Devin Lynch, 6-0, 220 (walk-on).

Sophomores: Ray Robinson, 6-2, 225 (11 games played on special teams).

Redshirt freshmen: Marvin Ham II, 6-1, 225 (4 games played on special teams); Alec Pell, 6-4, 240 (4 games played on special teams); Steele Dubar, 6-0, 205 (walk-on); Hayden Waters, 6-0, 220 (walk-on).

True freshmen: Mister Williams, 6-0, 230

Players lost: None.