Player Spotlight - Andrew Van Ginkel - NEW WRITER FEATURE - Ron Hiatt's Player Profiles!

By: Ron Hiatt

Andrew Van Ginkel has had an interesting path in football. His college career started at the University of South Dakota and then to Iowa Western Community College before landing at Wisconsin.
 
In Van Ginkel’s second year at Wisconsin he made 3rd- team All-Big Ten honors. Van Ginkel was drafted in the 5th round of the 2019 draft 151st overall at 6’4” 233 lbs.
 
In his rookie season Van Ginkel was placed on IR September 6th and returned to play his first game November 24th , against the Browns. Van Ginkel finished his inaugural season with 1 game started, 15 tackles, 1 sack, 4 QB hits, 4 tackles for loss, and 1 fumble recovery.
 
Van Ginkel returned for his second season at 242 lbs. after an off season focused on increasing his strength. With no preseason, Van Ginkel was buried on the depth chart behind newly acquired free agents. Through the first quarter of the season, Van Ginkel has seen his playing time steadily increase as evident in his snap counts (NE 8 snaps, BUF 16 snaps, JAX 20 snaps, SEA 10 snaps, SF 46 snaps, and NJ 17) before a concussion sidelined him last Sunday against the Jets. To date, AVG’s 2020 season sees 2 games started, 16 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 hurries, 3 QB hits, 8.5 pressures, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass defended.

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Van Ginkel has good length, versatility at multiple spots, and has a relentless motor with speed to burn mixed with tremendous play making abilities. And he does it all looking like Thor with his flowing golden locks, and Thunderous hits.  
 
A clear self-starter with an off the chart work ethic, makes Van Ginkel an easily likable guy and one of my favorite players to watch. Van Ginkel, much like Jason Taylor, can set an edge, funneling things inside to his help, despite being only 242 pounds.
 
The new bye comes at a good time for Van Ginkel to recover from concussion protocols and continue to raise his stock as an up and coming impact player on the field, and easily a fan-favorite off the field.
 
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