Nate Landman Bio
Nathan Landman, known professionally as Nate Landman, is a Zimbabwean-American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He wears jersey number 53 and plays inside linebacker. He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes from 2017 through 2021. Landman has built a reputation as a reliable tackler and playmaker on the field.
Landman began his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 as an undrafted free agent before joining the Los Angeles Rams in 2025. Throughout his career, he has earned several accolades for his performances at the collegiate level and has established himself as a dependable defensive contributor in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Nathan Landman was born on 19 November 1998 in Harare, Zimbabwe, where his father, Shaun, was playing rugby union. When his family later moved to the United States, they settled in Danville, California. He became a U.S. citizen during his second year of college, giving him dual Zimbabwean-American nationality.
He attended Monte Vista High School in Danville, California, where he played baseball, rugby union, and football. Landman lined up at both wide receiver and linebacker, earning accolades at each position. Over his four varsity seasons, he accumulated more than 1,000 receiving yards along with 160 tackles, 15 sacks, and four interceptions. In his senior year, he led Monte Vista on a state playoff run and was named the East Bay Athletic League MVP. He was also named to the All-NorCal High School Football Team by MaxPreps and earned East Bay Defensive Player of the Year honors from the San Jose Times.
Coming out of high school, Landman was ranked as the fifth-best linebacker and 57th-best player in California by ESPN, while Scout.com had him as high as second among linebackers and 33rd overall. He received offers from several major Division I programs, including Arizona, Boise State, Colorado State, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon State, Washington State, and Wyoming. Landman committed to Colorado on 20 July 2016.
Path to American Football
Landman joined the Colorado Buffaloes in 2017 and was given significant playing time as a true freshman, contributing mostly on special teams and in defensive packages. In his college debut against Texas State, he recorded a tackle for a loss. Later that season against Utah, he posted six tackles and a forced fumble in a starting role, signaling his future as a defensive leader.
By 2018, Landman had cemented himself as a starter. In the season opener, he set a career high with 16 tackles, and he added an interception against rival Colorado State. He followed that performance with 13 tackles and another interception against Nebraska on national television, finishing his sophomore year with 104 total tackles, including 64 solo stops, four sacks, and two interceptions.
His strong play earned him First-team All-Pac-12 honors from both the conference coaches and media following the 2018 season. He repeated as a First-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2019 and 2020, and was later recognized as a Second-team All-Pac-12 pick in 2021. Those honors established him as one of the top linebackers in the Pac-12 Conference during his college career.
Nate Landman Career
Early Career (2022)
Landman signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on 2 May 2022. He made the Falcons’ initial 53-man roster out of training camp, an impressive feat for an undrafted rookie. He was later released on 10 December 2022 and re-signed to the practice squad. As a rookie, Landman appeared in seven games during the 2022 season, gaining valuable NFL experience while contributing on defense and special teams.
On 9 January 2023, Landman signed a reserve/future contract with the Falcons, securing his place on the roster heading into the next season. That opportunity allowed him to enter 2023 with a defined role and a clear path to more playing time in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2023-2024)
Landman broke out in the 2023 NFL season, appearing in 16 games and making 14 starts for the Atlanta Falcons. He finished the year with two sacks, 110 total tackles (66 solo), one interception, three passes defended, and three forced fumbles, establishing himself as a full-time starter and a key piece of the Falcons’ defense.
His 2024 season was interrupted on 16 September 2024, when he was placed on injured reserve. Landman returned to the active roster on 12 October 2024 after being activated off injured reserve. Despite the setback, his body of work in Atlanta had proven he could be an every-down linebacker in the league.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2025-Present)
On 18 March 2025, Landman signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams, marking a fresh chapter in his career. He was named a starting inside linebacker to begin the 2025 season, signaling the Rams’ confidence in his ability to anchor the middle of their defense.
Landman made an immediate impact in Week 1 against the Houston Texans, forcing a fumble, recording 10 tackles, and earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. His strong start set the tone for a productive season in Los Angeles and helped him earn a long-term commitment from the organization.
On 22 November 2025, Landman signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract extension with the Rams, locking him in as a core member of the team’s defense. The deal reflected both his on-field production and his growing leadership role within the locker room.
Driving Style and Strengths
Landman is regarded as a sure-tackling inside linebacker with strong instincts and physicality at the point of attack. His college and professional experience have made him comfortable in run support, where his tackling consistency stands out. He has also shown a knack for creating turnovers, demonstrated by his career total of 10 forced fumbles, and he continues to develop in pass coverage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature achievements, Landman earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in his Rams debut against the Houston Texans in 2025. He has also posted a career-high 16 tackles in a single game during his time at Colorado, and he earned back-to-back First-team All-Pac-12 selections in 2019 and 2020, underscoring his consistency at the college level.
Nate Landman Career Wins
While linebackers are not typically judged by win totals the way quarterbacks are, Landman has consistently produced at a high level across his career. His college awards and his growing list of NFL accolades reflect a player who has earned recognition at every stop.
Atlanta Falcons Highlights
Landman appeared in 23 games for the Atlanta Falcons across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, making 14 starts in 2023. He posted 110 total tackles, two sacks, one interception, three passes defended, and three forced fumbles during his breakout 2023 campaign, helping anchor a young Falcons defense.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Landman was a two-time First-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2019 and 2020, and a Second-team All-Pac-12 pick in 2021. He also earned All-Pac-12 Conference recognition from both coaches and media following the 2018 season, cementing his status as one of the conference’s top linebackers during his time at Colorado.
Nate Landman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Landman comes from a sports-oriented family with roots in Zimbabwe. His father, Shaun, was a rugby union player in Harare when Nathan was born. Nathan has three siblings: Ty, Brendan, and Ocean. Brendan played college football at Arizona State, while Ocean swam collegiately at Oregon State, giving the family a strong athletic tradition across multiple sports.
Personal Life
Landman is married to Brynna DeLuzio, a former Colorado Buffaloes volleyball player. The couple has been a steady presence throughout his professional career, and he often spends his time in his hometown of Danville, California. He is also frequently referenced as the “Nateland Man” on the “Nateland” podcast, hosted by comedians Nate Bargatze, Dusty Slay, Aaron Weber, and Brian Bates.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has marked a new beginning for Landman with the Los Angeles Rams. He entered training camp competing for a starting inside linebacker role and won the job outright, signaling the organization’s belief in his skill set. His Week 1 performance against the Houston Texans, in which he recorded 10 tackles, forced a fumble, and earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week, immediately validated that decision.
Landman has continued to play a key role in the middle of the Rams’ defense, contributing both against the run and in pass coverage. His production, combined with his leadership on and off the field, made him a priority for the franchise as the season progressed.
That priority was confirmed on 22 November 2025, when Landman signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract extension with the Rams. The deal ensures that he will remain a centerpiece of the team’s defense for the foreseeable future and reflects his status as one of the league’s most consistent inside linebackers.
