Georgia Tech's Most Underrated Draft Prospect That Nobody Is Talking About

NFL scouts and draft experts are sleeping on this prospect

Oct 11, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) runs past Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg (99) in the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Jordan van den Berg has easily been the Yellow Jackets' best player over the past two years on the defensive side of the ball. He had had a number of big moments in his career with the Yellow Jackets, from forced fumbles against Miami to being a key piece in goal-line stands against eventual ACC champion Duke on the road. His performance against Duke was one of his best during the year. 

“I thought JJ played well inside, and then I thought the pass rush was, it was, you know, much continued being much improved last two weeks we're making major steps and progress throughout,” said head coach Brent Key. 

In that game, Van Den Berg finished with five tackles and a half-sack. He had at least four games with five or more tackles and a four-game stretch where he recorded 19 tackles. One of the reasons he is the most underrated is that he didn’t get invited to the national combine despite all he accomplished in just two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, and putting up really good numbers. 

“The most head-scratching is Jordan Van Den Berg, who was the Yellow Jackets best player on defense the past two years. He finished with 65 tackles and four sacks during his tenure with the Yellow Jackets. Van Den Berg just had a career year, finishing with 42 tackles and three sacks in his final season with the Yellow Jackets. He was the second-highest rated defensive player on the team according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) with a 75.0 overall grade. Where he does his damage is in run defense. Van Den Berg finished with a run defense grade of 81.2. He also produced 21 QB hurries and 19 stops last season for the Yellow Jackets. He had five games where he finished with five tackles or more. His biggest game came against Duke, where he finished with five tackles, several defensive stops on the goal line, and a half sack. Van Den Berg has produced and has a lot of upside at the next level.” 

Van Den Berg is a two-time All-ACC selection. He earned second-team honors in 2024. He performed even better this season and earned first-team honors alongside NFL prospects like Rueban Bain Jr, Akheem Mesidor, and Peter Woods. Quite a list to make first-team honors alongside. Still, Van Den Berg doesn’t draw the recognition or acclaim he deserves. With his impressive grade at stopping the run and experience at the collegiate level, he can easily contribute to an NFL team. He is vastly underrated and not being mentioned as much as he should for all he accomplished at the collegiate level in the NFL circle. Van Den Berg is a hard worker and a difference maker who can be a player who flies under the radar but makes an impact early. He should be one who makes some noise.