Zach VanValkenburg Scouting Report: 2022 NFL Draft Prospect Report

University of Iowa, Defensive End, #97

Measurements

6’4″ 270 lbs.

40 time: 4.7 (estimate)

 

Humble Beginnings

 

There are underdog stories, and then there are Zach VanValkenburg-level underdog stories. ZVV started his college career at Hillsdale College. That is not a FCS school. No, that is Division II. They are in the historic Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Let’s face it, that would be a way better name for the B1G. He played against such illustrious schools as Walsh, Michigan Tech, and my personal favorite, Ohio Dominican. VanValkenburg parlayed a Great Midwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year award into an opportunity at the University of Iowa. Of course, it may have been his Big Stick (aka the Nick Foles) Award that he earned for his play against Wayne State.

University of Iowa

ZVV came to Iowa with two years of eligibility but took advantage of a Covid-year to get a third year with the Hawkeyes. He made the most of it in a starting role where he had 58 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Iowa’s defensive line was a team effort, but VanValkenburg seemed like the leader of that group. I took a closer look at his play last season with a rewatch of Iowa’s game against Indiana.

Zach VanValkenburg Strengths

Pass Rush

Although he isn’t a speed rusher, he can beat you to the outside with excellent hand usage.

Zach VanValkenburg is already an incredible story. To go from Division-II to major college football is an incredible leap. He not just made the Hawkeyes, but made the Hawkeyes better. He may not jump off the screen when watching film, but you can’t help but let your eyes drift towards him. VanValkenburg just works and works until he’s around the ball, whether it be pressuring the quarterback or making a stop in the run game. ZVV’s going to have an uphill climb to make an NFL roster, but it’s not hard to envision him finding a path to a rotational defensive line piece. Although he didn’t get much of a chance at Iowa, his excellent hand usage could make him a great option to rush inside on passing downs. He’s likely going to be a late pick or undrafted free agent, but I’m not going to the one to doubt him beating the odds.

NFL Comparison: Albert Fontenot

Zach VanValkenburg Scouting Report Author: Joe Loncarich

First off, a ton of credit goes to Iowa’s safeties. Kaevon Merriwether finds a gap in the defense and hits the running back right as he receives the ball. Then, Jack Koerner stepped up in the hole, and even if he didn’t make the tackle, he hit the running back so hard that he spun in place. There, ZVV, after looping to the inside, sprints back to the right side of the line and cleans up the play on fourth down. VanValkenburg just won’t quit.

Conclusion

Zach VanValkenburg is already an incredible story. To go from Division-II to major college football is an incredible leap. He not just made the Hawkeyes, but made the Hawkeyes better. He may not jump off the screen when watching film, but you can’t help but let your eyes drift towards him. VanValkenburg just works and works until he’s around the ball, whether it be pressuring the quarterback or making a stop in the run game. ZVV’s going to have an uphill climb to make an NFL roster, but it’s not hard to envision him finding a path to a rotational defensive line piece. Although he didn’t get much of a chance at Iowa, his excellent hand usage could make him a great option to rush inside on passing downs. He’s likely going to be a late pick or undrafted free agent, but I’m not going to the one to doubt him beating the odds.

NFL Comparison: Albert Fontenot

Zach VanValkenburg Scouting Report Author: Joe Loncarich

That outside hand chop is an absolute thing of beauty. Hand usage is the key to VanValkenburg’s success. He isn’t the biggest or most athletic guy, but he does an excellent job of putting himself in advantageous positions with active hands. He knows how to use leverage to bull rush, as well as hold his ground in the running game.

Run Support

ZVV does an incredible job of controlling his blocker to be able to defend the run. Whether the back cuts inside or outside, VanValkenburg will be there.

VanValkenburg is really just hanging out as this play goes on. The lineman is trying to get push, but ZVV holds his ground and initially shuts down the inside hole. ZVV then lunges to the outside to trip up the running back when he tries to break it outside. Just excellent awareness and effort on the part of VanValkenburg. He consistently showed the ability to disengage blockers in the run game to make plays and was a huge asset in setting the edge for the Hawkeyes defense.

Motor

Motor is not going to be an issue with VanValkenburg, as he simply never gives up on plays.

First off, a ton of credit goes to Iowa’s safeties. Kaevon Merriwether finds a gap in the defense and hits the running back right as he receives the ball. Then, Jack Koerner stepped up in the hole, and even if he didn’t make the tackle, he hit the running back so hard that he spun in place. There, ZVV, after looping to the inside, sprints back to the right side of the line and cleans up the play on fourth down. VanValkenburg just won’t quit.

Conclusion

Zach VanValkenburg is already an incredible story. To go from Division-II to major college football is an incredible leap. He not just made the Hawkeyes, but made the Hawkeyes better. He may not jump off the screen when watching film, but you can’t help but let your eyes drift towards him. VanValkenburg just works and works until he’s around the ball, whether it be pressuring the quarterback or making a stop in the run game. ZVV’s going to have an uphill climb to make an NFL roster, but it’s not hard to envision him finding a path to a rotational defensive line piece. Although he didn’t get much of a chance at Iowa, his excellent hand usage could make him a great option to rush inside on passing downs. He’s likely going to be a late pick or undrafted free agent, but I’m not going to the one to doubt him beating the odds.

NFL Comparison: Albert Fontenot

Zach VanValkenburg Scouting Report Author: Joe Loncarich