Nate Landman announces he's returning to CU

BOULDER — Good news for Buffs fans…

Star linebacker Nate Landman announced on Instagram Tuesday evening that he will return to CU for the 2021 season. Landman’s will be eligible to play because of a special rule change for the 2020 season that grants every player and extra year of eligibility. Essentially, the linebacker will get a redo of his senior season.

 

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The elephant in the room is Nate Landman’s ruptured right Achilles. Landman sustained the injury in Colorado’s last regular season game in mid-December. Recovery times for Achilles injuries vary, but typically they are fairly lengthy.

If Landman is available to play in 2021, the Buffs would be receiving a major boost. Landman was one of the best linebackers in the country in 2020, earning himself recognition as a Butkus Award finalist. He’s the centerpiece of the Colorado defense and there was no clear replacement for him, if he had chosen to go to the NFL.

If Landman can’t play in 2021, he’ll still have a shot to participate in pre-draft activities like the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. Ideally he would show NFL teams that he’s back to full strength and worthy of a mid-round pick.

There’s no guarantee will put on the pads in black and gold again, but here’s to hoping for a full—and hopefully quick—recovery.