Van Ness Goes From ‘Nice Young Kid’ to ‘Hercules’

Here’s what Lukas Van Ness, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and Packers GM Brian Gutekunst had to say about the first-round draft pick.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Apr 28, 2023 1:05 AM EDT

In this story:

Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Lukas Van Ness arrived at Iowa tipping the scales at 220 pounds.

“He looked like a nice young kid,” Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz, thinking back to his recruiting visit, told Packer Central on Thursday night after the Green Bay Packers drafted Van Ness with their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Six months later, Van Ness attended an Iowa football camp. During that time, Ferentz said, Van Ness went from someone who “might be” a prospect to “certainly” a prospect.

The Hawkeyes offered him a scholarship.

“He was not a national recruit but, in retrospect, could have been,” Ferentz said. “He was on his way up. The next time I saw him after that, he was on [hockey] skates and pretty imposing with skates on. Looked like he was 7 feet tall.”

He only became more imposing. Van Ness, who grew up playing hockey and was a three-year letterwinner in the sport at Barrington (Ill.) High School, redshirted in 2020 and gained about 60 pounds.

“Hercules” was born.

“That’s a name that’s come about throughout the draft process and, honestly, I think it’s very fitting,” Van Ness said during his introductory Zoom call. “I think it kind of gives me someone to idolize, and it makes me laugh sometimes when people call me that. It’s something that started between some of my teammates (who) kind of mentioned my physique. I’ve always paid a lot of attention to body health and the weight room. I love to work out so, honestly, it’s a cool nickname.

“And it could be worse.”

Van Ness made his Hawkeyes debut in 2021 as a defensive tackle, tallying seven sacks and 8.5 tackles for losses. In 2022, he moved to defensive end and recorded 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for losses.

The change in roles was striking and paved the way for Van Ness to become a No. 1 pick. According to Pro Football Focus, Van Ness played 428 of his 462 snaps at defensive tackle in 2021 but 242 of his 478 snaps on the edge in 2022.

“My [redshirt freshman] year, they actually bumped me in to playing defensive tackle, which was super-beneficial for my development as a player,” he said. “I learned how to play inside, which is a faster game. You’ve got to be really good with your pad level, your balance, your hands. I had to learn a physical brand of football.

“Getting the opportunity to bump back out outside this year – I grew up playing defensive end. That’s where I feel comfortable, that’s where I feel like I can use my tools and excel. They bumped me outside and I feel like I was able to take what I learned playing defensive tackle and move it outside to play a physical brand of football, use my length on the edge, use my power and just really impact the game.”

Ferentz and Gutekunst both said Van Ness’ best football is on the horizon. Van Ness won’t turn 22 until just before the start of training camp.

“He did play like 1,000 snaps in the last two years, but it’s two years of football,” Gutekunst said. “I just think there’s a lot of growth there and the physical traits are all there for him to grow, so there’s no real limitation on him. But also he has just the versatility of being able to win outside with speed and then also inside with power, so I just think there’s so much in front of him and I think that’s where his best football will be.”

Gutekunst said he envisions Van Ness playing a Za’Darius Smith-style role of outside linebacker on base downs with the ability to move inside in passing situations.

Van Ness hadn’t had much contact with the Packers. They had a formal interview at the Scouting Combine, a 20-minute meeting in which his defensive role never came up. Gutekunst attended Iowa’s pro day.

“That all helps it come together,” Gutekunst said. “The character of the guy really checked out. He’s a culture guy for us. He’s a fit here. He’s a worker. It’s really important to him. I think that always gives you comfort because you know whatever talent he has in his body, if he’ll work, he’ll get there.”

With his football dreams having just come true, Van Ness was speaking from his parents’ second home in Fontana, Wis.

“I’m at a loss for words, just finally coming to the sense of my emotions,” he said. “I’m happy to see this all come to fruition. Since I decided to come out about four months ago, I put my nose to the grindstone.

“I spent three months in California training for the Combine. So many meetings and interviews and flying around to different top 30 visits to just get to this day today. I couldn’t have asked for a better result. I’m just so happy to be a Packer and I can’t wait to get out there and wear that Green Bay.”