Nathan Landman Bio
Nathan Landman (born 19 November 1998) is a Zimbabwean-American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, he moved to Danville, California, at a young age and developed into a highly decorated high school athlete before attending the University of Colorado. After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Landman signed with the Atlanta Falcons and developed into a reliable NFL linebacker. In March 2025, he joined the Los Angeles Rams, where he quickly established himself as a key defensive player. Landman has earned recognition at both the collegiate and professional levels for his tackling and playmaking ability. He signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract extension with the Rams in November 2025.
Early Life and Background
Landman was born on 19 November 1998 in Harare, Zimbabwe, where his father Shaun was playing rugby union. His family relocated to the United States when he was young, settling in Danville, California. Landman became a U.S. citizen during his second year at the University of Colorado. He attended Monte Vista High School in Danville, where he excelled in multiple sports, playing baseball, rugby union, and football.
In football, Landman played both wide receiver and linebacker, earning recognition in both positions. Over his four varsity seasons, he recorded over 1,000 yards receiving, 160 tackles, 15 sacks, and 4 interceptions. In his senior year, he led Monte Vista to a state playoff run and earned East Bay Athletic League MVP honors. He was named to the All-NorCal High School Football Team by MaxPreps and received the East Bay Defensive Player of the Year award from the San Jose Times. ESPN ranked him as the fifth-best linebacker and 57th-best player in California. He received scholarship offers from multiple Division I programs, including Arizona, Boise State, Colorado State, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon State, Washington State, and Wyoming. Landman committed to playing college football at Colorado on 20 July 2016.
Path to American Football
Landman arrived at the University of Colorado in 2017 with an impressive high school resume. He was immediately given significant playing time as a true freshman, appearing primarily on special teams while also getting defensive reps. In his college debut against Texas State, Landman recorded one tackle for a loss. Later that season against Utah, he made six tackles and forced a fumble in a starting role, demonstrating his ability to contribute immediately at the Division I level.
Landman entered the 2018 season as a starter and made an immediate impact. In the season opener, he recorded a career-high 16 tackles against Colorado State. He continued his strong play with interceptions against rival Colorado State and Nebraska on national television. He finished the 2018 season with 104 total tackles (64 solo), four sacks, and two interceptions. His consistent performances earned him first-team All-Pac-12 honors from coaches and media in both 2019 and 2020, and he received second-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2021. Over his five collegiate seasons from 2017 to 2021, Landman accumulated 324 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions while becoming one of the most respected linebackers in the conference.
Nathan Landman Career
Atlanta Falcons (2022–2024)
Landman signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on 2 May 2022. Despite going undrafted, he made the Falcons’ initial 53-man roster out of training camp, demonstrating his readiness for NFL competition. He was released on 10 December 2022 and re-signed to the practice squad. As a rookie, Landman appeared in seven games during the 2022 season. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on 9 January 2023, securing his place on the roster for the following season.
In the 2023 season, Landman took a significant step forward, appearing in 16 games with 14 starts. He recorded 110 total tackles (66 solo), two sacks, one interception, three passes defended, and three forced fumbles. His consistent production established him as a starter in the Falcons’ defensive lineup. On 16 September 2024, Landman was placed on injured reserve. He was activated off injured reserve on 12 October 2024, returning to the 53-man roster. Over his three seasons with the Falcons, Landman appeared in 23 games with 14 starts, accumulating significant playing time and experience in the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2025–Present)
On 18 March 2025, Landman signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams. He was immediately named a starting inside linebacker to begin the season. In Week 1 against the Houston Texans, Landman made an immediate impact, forcing a fumble, recording 10 tackles, and earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. His strong debut performance established him as a key piece of the Rams’ defense. Throughout the 2025 season, Landman continued to demonstrate consistent tackling ability and playmaking skills that had characterized his career.
On 22 November 2025, Landman signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract extension with the Rams. The deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his abilities and his importance to the team’s defensive plans. Landman has continued to anchor the Rams’ linebacker corps with his reliable tackling and football intelligence. His ability to play all three downs and contribute in both run defense and pass coverage has made him a valuable asset in the middle of the Rams’ defense.
Playing Style and Strengths
Landman is known as a physical and reliable linebacker with excellent tackling technique in open-field situations. His ability to read plays and diagnose offensive schemes has made him effective in run defense and lateral movement. He demonstrates solid instincts in pass coverage, able to match up against running backs and tight ends. Landman’s football intelligence allows him to quickly process information and react, contributing to his high tackle numbers throughout his career. His physicality and motor have earned him recognition as a durable three-down defender capable of handling significant workloads.
Notable Events and Milestones
Landman’s career has been marked by consistent production and steady growth. His NFL debut came with the Falcons in 2022, and he quickly earned a starting role by his second season. His forced fumble and 10-tackle performance in Week 1 with the Rams earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, demonstrating his ability to make game-changing plays. His November 2025 contract extension, worth $22.5 million over three years, represented both a financial milestone and validation of his contributions. Landman has accumulated over 300 career tackles across his NFL seasons, establishing himself as a reliable and productive linebacker at the professional level.
Nathan Landman Career Wins and Statistics
Landman has built impressive statistical credentials across both his collegiate and professional career. At Colorado, he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors twice and was named second-team All-Pac-12 once. In the NFL, he has appeared in 23 games with 14 starts, recording 324 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, 10 passes defended, and 10 forced fumbles over his career through the 2025 season.
Colorado Highlights
At the University of Colorado from 2017 to 2021, Landman established himself as one of the Pac-12’s top linebackers. His 2018 season featured a career-high 16-tackle performance against Colorado State and two interceptions. His consistent production continued throughout his collegiate career, culminating in 324 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions over five seasons. His first-team All-Pac-12 selections in 2019 and 2020 reflected his status as one of the conference’s elite defenders.
NFL Statistics
Landman’s NFL career began with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 after going undrafted. His 2023 season represented his most productive NFL year, with 110 tackles, two sacks, and three forced fumbles across 16 games. His 2025 season with the Rams began with NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 1. Through the 2025 season, Landman has recorded 324 career tackles, 4.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and 10 pass deflections.
Nathan Landman Family
Family Background
Landman was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, where his father Shaun Landman played rugby union. The family moved to the United States when Nathan was young, settling in Danville, California. Landman has three siblings named Ty, Brendan, and Ocean. His brother Brendan played college football at Arizona State, while Ocean swam collegiately at Oregon State. The Landman family has strong athletic traditions across multiple sports.
Personal Life
Landman is married to Brynna DeLuzio, a former Colorado Buffaloes volleyball player. The couple met during their time at the University of Colorado. Landman is known for his appearance on the “Nateland” podcast, a show hosted by comedians Nate Bargatze, Dusty Slay, Aaron Weber, and Brian Bates. He resides in Danville, California, where he attended high school.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant chapter in Landman’s career following his March signing with the Los Angeles Rams. His immediate impact was evident from the season opener, where his forced fumble and 10-tackle performance against the Houston Texans earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. The strong start validated the Rams’ decision to name him a starting inside linebacker and set the tone for his season. His consistent tackling and playmaking ability quickly made him a key component of the Rams’ defensive scheme.
Landman’s November 2025 contract extension, worth $22.5 million over three years, represented both financial security and organizational recognition of his contributions. Throughout the season, he continued to anchor the middle of the Rams’ defense with his reliable open-field tackling and football intelligence. His ability to contribute in both run defense and pass coverage made him valuable as a three-down linebacker. The Rams’ investment in Landman reflected their confidence in his long-term fit with the franchise and his potential to continue developing as a key defensive leader.