NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board Vol. 2: Pac-12 Defense

Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Nate Landman (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

With the return of several conferences to the 2020 college football scene, we are rolling out an updated NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board featuring players from those schools. Next up, Pac-12 defense:

Hamilcar Rashed, Oregon State, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
The offensive backfield has felt like home the past couple years for Hamilcar Rashed, having recorded an astounding 34 tackles for loss over the span, including 22.5 last season to lead the country. Standing at 6-3 and 236 pounds, Rashed physically and athletically looks like an outside linebacker, but he makes his money as a pass rusher in sub packages and versus obvious pass downs. With an arsenal of pass-rushing moves and the first-step quickness to threaten tackles off the edge, it’s no wonder the Phoenix native has translated his elite athletic traits into sack production (14 sacks in 2019). What’s more impressive, however, is that Rashed can also play with power and displays excellent physicality defending the run, chasing ball carriers and as a tackler. 

Nate Landman, Colorado, Linebacker
Playing middle linebacker in the NFL these days requires a versatile skill set and an active mind that can play the chess game with the opposing quarterback while also ensuring his troops are aligned correctly each snap. Nate Landman displays this ability while being a three-down linebacker capable of defending both the run and the pass. With solid speed and range that’s aided by his instincts, the Danville, California product shows very good sideline-to-sideline ability and possesses the highly coveted short-area quickness needed to escape would-be blockers. The son of a former rugby player who was born in Zimbabwe, Landman comes from an athletic family and also displays the intangibles to be a complete player, evidenced by being named team captain in 2019 and being a rare consecutive winner of CU’s Dave Jones Award, given annually to its most outstanding defensive player.

Elijah Molden, Washington, Cornerback
Playing the nickel back is a very unique skill set. A good nickel is smart – capable of understanding both run and pass concepts while anticipating multiple route trees – and also must be quick enough to cover shiftier slot receivers while being physical since he has a gap responsibility in the run game — he replaces a linebacker, after all. Elijah Molden is all of these things, and he does them at a very high level. During the 2019 season – his first as a full-time starter – the West Linn, Oregon product burst onto the scene against BYU by breaking up a remarkable four passes in the game and followed it up the next week versus USC by recording his first career interception. For the remainder of the season, Molden continued to display his athleticism, willingness to get physical, and cover instincts, finishing with 17 pass breakups and four interceptions – marks that few players accumulate in a full college career.

2021 NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL BIG BOARD: PAC-12 DEFENSE