2019 as a Senior: Started in all 16 games at linebacker… Third Team All-CAA linebacker... Had 47 total tackles (20 solo), to go with 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack… Season-high seven tackles and a sack at Stony Brook (Oct. 5)… Had four tackles at William & Mary (Oct. 19) and in FCS Second Round against Monmouth (Dec. 7)… Had three or more tackles in 10 games... CAA Football Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (Fall 2019).
2018 as a Junior: Started seven games after missing first half of the season to an injury... Had 56 tackles (26 solo), to go with 6.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interceptions and one fumble recovery... Three games with double-digit tackles, including career-high 11 tackles, 1.5 for loss and a sack at Towson (Nov. 17)... Made 10 tackles and had first career interception against Stony Brook (Oct. 27)... Also had 10 stops against Rhode Island (Nov. 10)... Eight tackles in FCS First Round against Delaware (Nov. 24)... Had seven tackles and a sack at New Hampshire (Nov. 3)... Had at least four tackles in every game and a tackle for loss in five of seven outings.
2017 as a Sophomore: Played in 14 games, making one start at linebacker… Had 31 total tackles (18 solo), to go with 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble and a pass breakup… Season-high five tackles and a forced fumble against Villanova (Oct. 14)… Had four tackles in three games… Recorded a sack against New Hampshire (Oct. 28)… Had three or more stops in six outings.
Prior to JMU: Transferred to JMU after spending one season at Virginia out of the ACC… Played in 11 games, making two starts in 2016… Had 21 total tackles (14 solo), to go with 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup… Made first collegiate start against No. 5 Louisville, making five tackles with a tackle for loss and pass breakup… Season-best six tackles, to go with a sack and fumble recovery at Virginia Tech… Also made four tackles and first career sack against No. 22 North Carolina.
High School: Played linebacker and tight end at Bishop O’Connell High School… Three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247sports.com… Spent first two years of high school at Gonzaga.
Personal: Full name is Christian Landan Word… His father, Barry, was a star running back at Virginia who was named 1985 ACC Player of the Year and played seven years in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals... Majoring in sociology.
JMU Football | Bob Chesney Weekly Press Conference - Sept. 8, 2025JMU Football | Bob Chesney Weekly Press Conference - Sept. 8, 2025
Monday, September 08
JMU Football | Players Postgame Press Conference vs. Louisville - Sept. 5, 2025JMU Football | Players Postgame Press Conference vs. Louisville - Sept. 5, 2025
Monday, September 08
JMU Football | Bob Chesney Postgame Press Conference vs. Louisville - Sept. 5, 2025JMU Football | Bob Chesney Postgame Press Conference vs. Louisville - Sept. 5, 2025
Saturday, September 06
JMU Football | Win this game.JMU Football | Win this game.