Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley (20) celebrates a play wutg defensive lineman Shane Cokes (99) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Buffaloes have accumulated experience at the linebacker position entering 2024. The top seven players on the depth chart have played in well over 200 combined games throughout their college careers, with some of them entering their final year of college eligibility.
With the talent the Buffs have accumulated on the defensive line and in the secondary, I don’t expect to see more than two or three linebackers on the field at a time, even on running downs. That thought is reinforced by the fact that those players are listed as inside linebackers on the team’s official roster.
Here’s a look at Colorado’s depth at linebacker:
Starter: LaVonta Bentley
Nov 25, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes running back Jaylon Glover (1) gets tackled by Colorado Buffaloes inside linebacker LaVonta Bentley (20) at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
After a successful first season in Boulder, LaVonta Bentley returns as a presumptive starter. Bentley came on strong at the end of last season, starting in every game past Week 6. He finished with 68 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Starter: Trevor Woods
Sep 30, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes safety Trevor Woods (43) pulls down USC Trojans wide receiver Brenden Rice (2) after a short gain during the third quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports
Trevor Woods has been in the spotlight this offseason, as head coach Deion Sanders compared him to Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher. Now that the table has been set for him, we’ll see what he can do to live up to those lofty expectations, but I expect to see the bulked-up Woods starting games.
Backup: Jaylen Wester
Florida Atlantic linebacker Jaylen Wester (21) forces a fumble during the fourth quarter of game against UTSA at FAU Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2023, in Boca Raton, FL.
Jaylen Wester brings an athletic component to the position, which he’ll likely use on passing downs or sub packages. While I list him as a backup, fans will see a lot of No. 25 and his sideline-to-sideline speed patrolling the field.
Backup: Nikhai Hill-Green
Sep 9, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Charlotte 49ers linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) reacts after stoping Maryland Terrapins offense on third down during the first half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Another great athlete the Buffs can roll off the bench is Nikhai Hill-Green, who comes to Boulder after lighting it up for the Charlotte 49ers. Hill-Green possesses great size at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, and he’s a former four-star prospect who played in the Big Ten for the Michigan Wolverines during his first three years of college ball.
Backup: Johnny Chaney Jr.
Florida A&M linebacker Johnny Chaney, Jr., (28) stops Alabama State receiver Kisean Johnson (81) during their game at Hornet Stadium in Montgomery, Ala. on Saturday November 12, 2022. Asu08 Syndication The Montgomery Advertiser
Johnny Chaney Jr. comes to CU as a seasoned veteran of the SWAC. In his three seasons at Florida A&M, Chaney displayed great football IQ and athleticism.
Backup: Jeremiah Brown
Apr 22, 2023; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Jeremiah Brown (42) returns a blocked field goal during the first half of the spring game at Folsom Filed. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
A valuable Swiss Army knife for defensive coaches to utilize, Jeremiah Brown could see the field at multiple positions for the Buffs in 2024. Brown had a great spring and impressed many in the spring game. Brown is a dark horse candidate to see lots of playing time.
Star player: Trevor Woods
Sep 16, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes safety Trevor Woods (43) intercepts the ball to end the double overtime game against the Colorado State Rams at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
I believe in Coach Prime’s eye for talent, so if he believes a player can make an Urlacher-type impact, I will pay attention to that player. Woods was a bright spot in Boulder before Coach Prime arrived, and he’s now getting comfortable with his new position. With a full offseason of learning to play linebacker, this upcoming season could be big.
Position pipeline
Colorado has another veteran who can fill in during emergencies with former Florida State transfer Brendan Gant still on the roster. While he battled injuries in 2023, Gant did see the field for four games.
Behind Gant are numerous underclassmen who will have time to develop on the sidelines this season. That group includes sophomore and local product Bo Simmons-LaPenna and true freshmen Trenton Hood, Kyeran Garcia and Gage Goldberg, the son of WWE great Bill Goldberg.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Examining Colorado’s veteran depth at linebacker
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Publish date : 2024-08-16 05:00:00
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