Watching the recent WOM videos, neither is the answer and Gant isn't either. Non-existent in middle route coverage and consistently getting caught in the wash on runs. Pray to the portal gods to send us at least two serviceable LBs in May.
I've heard good things across the board about Bentley putting in the time, effort and study this year. I did think Bentley closed the season well, and the Dline played incrementally better, but was not good by any means. Therefore, I think Bentley will be good/serviceable, maybe great if a TP stud steps up next to him. I expect Bentley to look very cut, focused, confident, and somewhat "in-charge" at the Spring game. YAK and I had this conversation earlier, but Juju Mitchell was the Buffs best LB last year by a wide margin--that is why he is invited to NY Giants camp, even with all his problems.
I hold out hope for Wester popping with his PFF numbers/last years' production and hopefully be the next guy in should we supplement with TP guy or two. Hopefully, he has done well with the off-season training, weight-room, etc... I'm sure he is still adjusting to Boulder, the scheme, and his new teammates. Communication is huge for the LB group. Although reported that Wester is just behind Woods/Bentley today, I would hope his overall ILB experience allows him to overtake TW. He may be a little smaller than a Prime premium LB transfer, but his film was good--he tackles well, takes good angles and IMO should be able to hang with another capable ILB next to him. I still hold hope for TW, and maybe he carves out a situational role with the ILB's. If he can drop correctly into coverage and confuse/surprise some B-12 QB's, he has a nose for the ball and might situationally produce some big plays--that could be a great weapon. It is just a big jump from S to ILB for any player. I'll be interested to see what he looks like at the Spring game--maybe he has put on some weight maintaining his speed and agility.
Gant was mentioned, but not really by those who have seen a practice. Sounds like depth peice at best. The Frosh LB's sound like they are developing, but I have not heard one called-out for great play (i.e. "XY is just a moster and going to pop").
One thing that comes really to mind with the ILB equation is the Dline. Talent-wise the Dline looks improved (by all accounts it is bigger, more experienced, higher level) all the way across the board. Certainly, they are the most highly-touted infusions. We still need to get Green on campus and he needs to be in shape/ready to go Day 1. If things go to plan, I would imagine that the Dline would be the most noticibly improved unit on the team, except for the Oline remake. If the Dline can be explosive at times, take double-teams, hold the edge, make their share plays and not be bullied 3-5 yards off the LOS, that would make life much easier on the ILBs.
Whoever is back there will look much better than they actually are. If the Dline just improves some, then we need exceptional ILB play. Buffs need to cover both basis, and have depth for injuries. I agree with Lama and others, including the coaches that we have to hit the Spring portal hard and find that guy(s). A Lundy type would be great. That said, I sort of doubt there will be
two TP ILB's starting game 1 with just Fall ball under their belts learning the D on the fly. It is not an impossibility, but if CU finds two TP that start, they will be Super-Studs with so much physical speed, skill, tackling ability, etc... that they can learn on the fly and cover any coordination deficiencies--(i.e. I picked the wrong gap/dropped out of position but I recovered and made the tackle for an 8-12 yard gain, not 20+).
This is my long post of the week! Go Buffs!