40 Facts About Andrew Van Ginkel

Early Life and High School

Andrew Van Ginkel's journey to the NFL began in a small town in Iowa. His early years were marked by a passion for football and a drive to succeed.

1. Birth and Early Life: Andrew Van Ginkel was born on July 1, 1995, in Rock Valley, Iowa.
2. High School Football: Van Ginkel attended Rock Valley Community High School, where he played football as a quarterback for the Nighthawks, a consolidated team shared with Boyden–Hull High School.

College Football Career

Van Ginkel's college career was a winding road that saw him play for three different schools, each contributing to his development as a player.

3. College Football Career: Van Ginkel began his college football career at the University of South Dakota, playing defensive end for one season. He then transferred to Iowa Western Community College and continued playing defensive end. Finally, he transferred to the University of Wisconsin, where he played linebacker for two seasons.
4. South Dakota Coyotes: As a freshman in 2015, he played 11 games, recording 56 tackles, 18.0 sacks, 9.0 tackles for loss, 2 fumbles recovered, and 6 solo tackles.
5. Wisconsin Badgers (Junior Year): In 2017, he played 14 games, making 39 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 11 quarterback pressures.
6. Wisconsin Badgers (Senior Year): In 2018, he played 12 games, achieving 59 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3 solo tackles.

Entering the NFL

Van Ginkel's transition to the NFL marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career, filled with challenges and triumphs.

7. Professional Draft: Van Ginkel was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft, 151st overall.
8. Miami Dolphins: Van Ginkel was placed on injured reserve on September 6, 2019, but was designated for return from injured reserve on November 13, 2019. He was activated on November 20, 2019.
9. Memorable Play: On November 1, 2020, against the Los Angeles Rams, Van Ginkel recovered a fumble lost by Jared Goff and returned it for a 78-yard touchdown, the second-longest fumble return in Dolphins' team history.
10. Key Defensive Play: In Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, Van Ginkel forced a fumble on running back Melvin Gordon at the goal line, which was recovered by the Dolphins during their 20–13 loss.

Joining the Minnesota Vikings

A new opportunity arose for Van Ginkel with the Minnesota Vikings, where he continued to showcase his skills.

11. Minnesota Vikings: On March 13, 2024, Van Ginkel signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

Physical Attributes and Performance

Van Ginkel's physical attributes and performance metrics highlight his athleticism and capability on the field.

12. Height: 6 ft 3+1⁄2 in (1.92 m)
13. Weight: 241 lb (109 kg)
14. Arm Length: 32+1⁄2 in (0.83 m)
15. Hand Span: 9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m)
16. 40-yard Dash: 4.59 seconds
17. 10-yard Split: 1.62 seconds
18. 20-yard Split: 2.52 seconds
19. 20-yard Shuttle: 4.14 seconds
20. Three-cone Drill: 6.89 seconds
21. Vertical Jump: 38.0 inches
22. Broad Jump: 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m)
23. Bench Press: 17 reps

Fantasy Football and Breakout Season

Van Ginkel's performance in fantasy football and his breakout season in 2023 demonstrate his growing impact in the NFL.

24. Fantasy Football Ranking: In 2023, Van Ginkel played 17 games and had 43 solo tackles, 26 assisted tackles, 6 sacks, 47 quarterback pressures, and 8 tackles for loss.
25. Breakout Season in 2023: Van Ginkel had a breakout season in 2023 with the Miami Dolphins. He played over 80% of the snaps five times, and the Dolphins were 11-1 in those games.
26. Standout Game: In one game against the Dallas Cowboys, Van Ginkel had 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hits (a career-high), a tackle for loss, and a pass defensed.

Snap Count and Salary Comparison

Comparing Van Ginkel's snap count and salary to other elite pass-rushers provides insight into his value.

27. Snap Count Comparison: In 2023, Aidan Hutchinson played 91% of snaps, T.J. Watt played 84%, and Van Ginkel played 67%.
28. Salary Comparison: In 2023, Hutchinson’s cap hit was $8.1 million, Watt’s cap hit was $29 million, and Van Ginkel’s cap hit was $2.6 million.

Career Highlights and Player Comparisons

Van Ginkel's career highlights and comparisons to other elite players underscore his achievements and potential.

29. Career Highlights with Dolphins: Recovered a fumble lost by Jared Goff and returned it for a 78-yard touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. Forced a fumble on running back Melvin Gordon at the goal line against the Denver Broncos in 2020.
30. Career Highlights with Vikings: Started 11 of the 17 games he played, collecting 69 total tackles, including eight for loss and a single-season career-high 6.0 sacks.
31. Elite Pass-Rushers Comparison: Along with Aidan Hutchinson and T.J. Watt, Van Ginkel is among the best with at least four sacks, five passes defensed, one interception, seven tackles for loss, and 10 quarterback hits this season.

Player Popularity and Value Metrics

Van Ginkel's popularity and value metrics reflect his growing recognition and impact in the NFL.

32. Player Popularity Index (PPI): The PPI ranks PlayerProfiler page views over the last 30 days. For example, the No. 1 PPI player page is the most frequently visited page in recent weeks.
33. Value Over Stream (VOS): The VOS calculates a player's fantasy points per game over the average waiver wire replacement in standard fantasy league formats during either the current season or previous year during the offseason and adjusts for positional bust rates.

Additional Resources and Links

For those interested in learning more about Van Ginkel's career, several resources provide detailed information.

34. College Bio Links: Miami Dolphins bio, South Dakota Coyotes bio, Wisconsin Badgers bio, College Stats from Sports-Reference.
35. Professional Bio Links: ESPN player bio, Vikings player roster page.

Draft Information and Current Status

Van Ginkel's draft information and current status highlight his ongoing career in the NFL.

36. Draft Info: 2019: Round 5, Pick 151 (Miami Dolphins).
37. Current Team: Minnesota Vikings.
38. Current Position: Linebacker.
39. Height and Weight: 6 ft 4", 242 lbs.
40. Birthdate: July 1, 1995 (29 years old).

Andrew Van Ginkel: A Rising NFL Star

Andrew Van Ginkel's journey from Rock Valley, Iowa to the NFL showcases his dedication and talent. Starting as a high school quarterback, he transitioned to a defensive end in college before finding his stride as a linebacker at Wisconsin. Drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2019, Van Ginkel quickly made his mark with key plays and a breakout season in 2023. His move to the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 promises more exciting performances. Standing at 6'4" and weighing 242 lbs, his physical attributes and stats reflect his prowess on the field. With impressive college and professional achievements, Van Ginkel's career trajectory is one to watch. His impact on both the Dolphins and Vikings highlights his versatility and skill, making him a standout player in the NFL. Keep an eye on this rising star as he continues to make waves in professional football.