Packers Select Lukas Van Ness in NFL Draft

Former Iowa Defensive Lineman A 1st-Round Pick

IOWA CITY, Iowa - For the fourth time in the last five years, an Iowa Football player heard his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft. The latest addition came Thursday night when the Green Bay Packers selected Lukas Van Ness with the 13th overall pick. 

Tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant kicked off this Hawkeye run, both going in Round 1 in 2019. Offensive linemen Tristan Wirfs ('20) and Tyler Linderbaum ('22) followed. Like Van Ness, they all left college with eligibility remaining. 

Van Ness joined Hockenson, Fant and Wirfs in spending three years at Iowa. Linderbaum was a Hawkeye for four years. 

Pre-Draft predictions showed Van Ness as a likely first-round pick. The projections ranged from late Top 10 into the low 20s. Chicago, Detroit and others were linked to him. 

"He was a disrupter," ESPN Analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said after Van Ness was selected. "The athletic numbers he showed at the combine, he was great in the drills. I didn't see those numbers on a consistent basis. 

"I thought another year at Iowa would have really helped him. Maybe he becomes Aidan Hutchinson, the first, second, third pick overall." 

Van Ness became the third Iowa defensive lineman chosen in the opening round of the draft. Adrian Clayborn was the 20th overall pick in '11. The late Alex Karras went 10th in '58. 

Spotrac estimates Van Ness's first contract to be $17.4M. It comes with a $9.6M signing bonus. 

"I love this pick," ESPN Analyst Todd McShay said of Van Ness. "It fits because you need versatility up front. I don't think there's a player in this draft that can play base defensive end and then rush the passer the way he can from a three-technique. 

"He got better this year and was more disruptive." 

Van Ness (6-5, 272) arrived at Iowa as a member of its 2020 recruiting class. He ranked as the No. 1,063 best prospect overall nationally in the 247Sports composite ratings. 

In fairness to the scouts, Van Ness didn't spend a lot of time at high school football showcases. He loved hockey. It didn't matter that it conflicted with being seen on the gridiron circuit. 

Colleges caught on as he began flexing his muscles later in his prep career at Barrington (IL) High. Illinois, Kansas, Kansas State and Minnesota were the other Power 5 programs to reportedly offer scholarships. 

Van Ness visited Minnesota and Illinois. Then he visited Iowa. He joined the Hawkeyes as part of a recruiting class arriving during the heart of the pandemic. 

He was listed at 6-5, 259 pounds on the team's official roster. The '21 roster showed him adding only five pounds. A year later he worked up to 275. 

Iowa coaches played him inside during his redshirt freshman season. He mostly lined up outside last Fall. 

The two-time academic All-Big Ten performer recorded 13.5 sacks during two college campaigns. He tied for the team lead both years despite not starting a college game. 

Van Ness earned the nickname "Hercules" at Iowa. He blocked two punts during a game against Iowa State.