When the pads came on, so did Nate Landman.
It hasn’t taken long for the veteran linebacker to make his presence felt during the early parts of Los Angeles Rams training camp, drawing early praise from defensive coordinator Chris Shula for his physicality, communication, and leadership in the middle of the defense.
“He’s a stud,” Shula said. “Just like he was all through OTAs. You could see it with how physical he is, how vocal he is. And now with the pads on and the downhill runs, it’s really his game.”
Signed in March to a one-year deal after three seasons with the Falcons, Landman was one of Los Angeles’ under-the-radar offseason additions. But his impact has been anything but quiet. From how he fills lanes against the run to his constant communication on the field, coaches say he’s already established himself as a “glue guy” in the heart of the defense.
“He can organize everything,” Shula added. “He’s always in the right spot. You feel him out there. And he’s got this knack for punching the ball out, guys are starting to follow that.”
“He’s a glue guy.”
🎙️ DC Chris Shula on LB Nate Landman pic.twitter.com/cxKnp1ebqW
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 30, 2025
Landman, 26, joined the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022 after a standout college career at Colorado, in which he was named a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection. He played sparingly as a rookie in Atlanta, but over the past two seasons, he worked his way into a starting role, appearing in 23 games and tallying 191 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles. His physical style, combined with a high football IQ, quickly turned heads.
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Landman brings a unique journey to the Rams’ locker room. And now in his first training camp in Los Angeles, he’s making an early case to be one of the tone-setters on a defense searching for new leaders.
“He’s everything you want in a middle linebacker,” Shula said. “He’s tough, smart, physical—and the guys already respect him.”
As camp rolls on, Landman’s role will continue to grow. And if the first few practices in pads are any indication, the Rams may have found a difference-maker right in the middle of their defense.
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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams’ Nate Landman is ‘everything you want in a middle linebacker’