LaVonta Bentley could be leader for inside linebackers – BuffZone

When he got a chance to play during the last few years at Clemson, LaVonta Bentley made the most of the opportunities.
Those opportunities didn’t come along as much as he wanted, but that could change this year at Colorado.
A transfer, Bentley is one of many newcomers looking for a second chance with the Buffaloes and he could wind up being one of the leaders of the defense.
Leading up to preseason camp, BuffZone.com will preview each position group for CU and in this first installment, we look at the inside linebackers.
In four seasons at Clemson, Bentley played 40 games, but only two as a starter. He played 417 career snaps on defense, which is equivalent to about six full games. In those snaps, he racked up 73 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
“A lot of (the other linebackers) kind of lean on him because he’s played in big games at Clemson,” linebackers coach Andre Hart said in the spring. “He’s been asked to come in at certain times when other players have gotten hurt; that experience is serving him well.”
Although no starting jobs are settled, Bentley is in line for a bigger role with the Buffs, perhaps as a full-time starter for the first time in his college career.
“I’m very excited,” he said during the spring. “I felt like when I was at Clemson, I had the chance and opportunity. When I did go out there on the field, I made the plays that was presented. I’m just blessed just to be here and get this bigger role because I know I’ve got it in me and I know I can show the world what I can do.”
As a whole, it’s an intriguing group because several players come in with the same second-chance mindset.
Brendan Gant (Florida State) and Demouy Kennedy (Alabama) transferred in to compete for starting jobs, as well.
Gant played in 43 games during his four seasons at FSU, with six starts. He played the equivalent of about a full season (779 snaps), posting 112 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
Kennedy was limited to five games last year at Alabama because of an injury and spent the spring still recovery. But, Hart said, “He’s gonna be electrifying. He will be the fastest linebacker that we’ll have and he’ll play a lot.”
Jeremiah Brown thrived as an outside linebacker at Jackson State last year, but is moving inside with the Buffs and hoping to prove himself at the Power 5 level. He posted 46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks at JSU last season.
The only returning Buff at linebacker, Marvin Ham II, is also viewing this as a fresh start. He has been at CU for four seasons, playing in 29 games, but only five as a starter. Although he has just 30 career tackles, Ham made a good impression on Hart and the rest of the staff in the spring.
Each of those five veterans will go into camp with an eye on a starting role.
The Buffs are also bringing in three true freshmen, with two of them – Victory Johnson and Morgan Pearson – having arrived in January. Kofi Taylor-Barrocks has made a good impression since arriving in May.
Position: Inside linebackers