In a new series that CUSportsNation.com will be running over the next couple of weeks, we'll be going through the top offensive and defensive players in 2018 according to Pro Football Focus' analytics. We started with the defensive, and inside linebacker Nate Landman tops the list at No. 1.
Note: Players needed to have seen 250 snaps in order to be on this list... 16 Buff defenders played 250+ snaps
2018 STATS
123 tackles (61 unassisted)
4 sackes
9 tackles for loss (does not include sacks)
1 fumble recovery
2 forced fumbles
5 pass break ups
2 interceptions
TOP GAME OF THE SEASON
Landman's top game of the season came in the season opener, as the Buffs' routed Colorado State. He recorded a ridiculously high game grade of 91.0 and made 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, and an interception. This was Landman's first start and he made the most of his opportunity and then some.
OUTLOOK ON LANDMAN
Landman was named second team All-Pac-12 according to the Associated Press as well as being named the most outstanding Buff defensive player in 2018 voted by the coaches (tied with Mustafa Johnson). According to PFF, his season grade of 86.1 was 23rd best in the country of all linebackers in the FBS and fourth best in the Pac-12. Landman's future at Colorado is incredibly bright as he enters his junior season in 2019. He should have another incredible season and will thrive under Tyson Summers and Mel Tucker.
Top Buff defenders in 2018
No. 10 Rick Gamboa (65.8 grade)
No. 9 Derrion Rakestraw (70.5 grade)
No. 8 Evan Worthington (71.9 grade)
No. 7 Israel Antwine (72.3 grade)
No. 6 Delrick Abrams Jr. (72.5 grade)
No. 5 Davion Taylor (74.1 grade)
No. 4 Drew Lewis (74.7 grade)
No. 3 Javier Edwards (76.9 grade)
No. 2 Mustafa Johnson (82.7 grade)
No. 1 Nate Landman (86.1 grade)
