Former Wisconsin football star, 2025 Pro Bowler makes NFL top 100 ranking
For the first time in his six-year career, Van Ginkel pocketed a position on the heralded hierarchy. He is the first former Badger to crack the 100-man list and the second linebacker listed, following Tampa Bay Buccaneers' star Lavonte David (No. 96).
Months removed from inking a one-year, $23 million contract extension with the Vikings, Van Ginkel finds himself amongst league royalty after a 79-tackle, 11 1/2-sack output in his most prolific year in the NFL to date.
In addition to those numbers, Van Ginkel accumulated 18 tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hits, six pass deflections, one forced fumble and two interceptions -- both of which he returned for touchdowns. The seasonal performance also earned him his first Pro Bowl bid, a spot on the AP Second-Team All-Pro team and a No. 7 finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Prior to joining Kevin O'Connell's squad in Minnesota, the Iowa native spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins. While he didn't necessarily shine like he did with the Vikings, he averaged 50 tackles, 6.2 for loss, 9.5 quarterback hits and 3.4 sacks per season as a valuable member of the defensive unit.
His draft position -- No. 151 overall in the fifth round in 2019 -- suggested that he may have reached his ceiling with Miami, but he morphed that notion into a falsity when he arrived at U.S. Bank Stadium.
"He's one of the most versatile players that we have in this league," former offensive tackle Terron Armstead said of Van Ginkel in his highlight reel for NFL Films. "You don't understand how fast he is...He's a relentless player. He plays with his hair on fire, and he has a lot of it...His football IQ is really what separates him...His ability to read plays before the snap. He looks at formations. That's why he's able to jump screen passes, because he knows it's coming."
Van Ginkel played for two seasons for the Badgers from 2017-18 after one year at the Football Championship Subdivision (South Dakota) level and one year in JUCO (Iowa Western). With UW, he was responsible for 99 tackles, 20 for loss, 12 sacks, two interceptions, five pass deflections and four forced fumbles over those two seasons.
He has since emerged as one of the most valuable linebackers in professional football.
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