Colbert Appreciates The Fit At Linebacker

Former defensive back has become a veteran leader on the defense.

Djimon Colbert was uneasy the first time he stepped into Iowa’s linebacker room.

Colbert came to the Hawkeyes as a defensive back, but he was being moved to a new position after taking a redshirt season as a freshman.

“Walking into the (linebacker) room for the first time, I honestly was kind of upset,” Colbert said. “I was a defensive back all through high school. Once I was in that room, being around those guys, seeing how they operate, was a big thing for me. I felt like it was easier for me to step into that role and fit in with those guys, because I liked how they operate.

“Watching guys like Josey (Jewell), Bo (Bower), Ben Niemann and those guys, how they did their work, I think was instrumental in how we operate now as linebackers.”

Colbert appreciated those lessons. And, as a third-year sophomore, he has become one of the leaders on Iowa’s defense.

He laughed on Tuesday when someone said he was a ‘old man’ among the linebackers.

“That’s crazy when people say that to me,” Colbert said. “I felt like I got here, like, last week. I guess I am going into my third year.

“Yeah, I do have to step up.”

Iowa’s linebackers have had a quietly effective season. Middle linebacker Kristian Welch, who has missed one game with an injury and is expected to be out for Saturday’s game at Northwestern, leads the Hawkeyes with 47 tackles. Colbert is third with 36 tackles. Nick Niemann is seventh with 24 stops.

“I think it’s just the improvements we make every week — try not to be satisfied with our play,” Colbert said. “(Linebackers coach Seth Wallace) is definitely not allowing us being that way.

“Our defense is going to get better if we get better. That’s every position.”

Colbert and the rest of the defense will be challenged in Saturday’s 11 a.m. game at Northwestern. The Wildcats rushed for 184 yards on Iowa in last season’s 14-10 game at Kinnick Stadium — Isaiah Bowser had 165 of those yards, and he’s back in the Northwestern running back rotation after some early-season injury issues — and that film has been dissected this week.

“It’s not really one thing,” Colbert said. “It’s just guys not being in the right gaps. Our eyes got misplaced a few times.

“It’s the same team. Same coach, same schemes. Same running back, too.”

Colbert has dissected his play all season, but some of that doesn’t show up on video.

“I know the first couple of games I had some missed tackles,” Colbert said. “But yeah, I’m just trying to be a better leader on the field. I kind of told myself I had to improve on that.”

Colbert took a redshirt season in 2017, and it was in the offseason before 2018 spring practice that he moved to linebacker. He started 10 games at the weak-side linebacker spot last season, finishing with 52 tackles.

“He's done a good job,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “Played well last year. Basically a first-year player on the field, not a true freshman. I thought he built a good foundation last year. He's improving with every opportunity.

“Again, that's what we hope all of our players are doing, is growing, taking the experience that they're garnering, putting it to good use. I think he's done that.”

“It’s been cool,” Colbert said. “I think last year was a big foundation start for me. That spring, and then fall, was my first time actually playing the linebacker position in our defense, getting solid reps. I think last year was a big starter for me. Now, I can look back on those things, see the improvement I can make, where I should have been, where I could have been.”

Where he is now is a position where he is making an impact, but there has been a learning curve.

“It helps kind of understanding concepts and stuff like that,” Colbert said when asked if his experience in the secondary helps, especially on pass coverage. “But playing linebacker, you have different responsibilities than where I was at.

“It’s a whole different ballgame being five yards away from the ball, trying to guard those slot receivers. That’s not saying the defensive back’s job is easy. It’s just a different kind of football.”