Athletic Profile
Height: 6050
Weight: 272
Arm Length: 34”
40 Time: 4.58
10 Yard Split: 1.57
Vertical: 31”
Broad Jump: 910
3-Cone: 7.02
Relative Athletic Score: 9.39
* Indicates Recorded At Pro Day
Statistics
2022: 46 PR - 9 SK - 15 TKL (17.6 MIS%) - 18 STOP
2021: 28 PR - 4 SK - 18 TKL (16.7MIS%) - 14 STOP
Snap Count:
AGP: 69
BGP: 533
OVT: 62
OUT: 262
Pros
Movement Skills
Power
Length
Motor
Versatility
Cons
Pass Rush Polish
Hand Usage
Block Deconstruction
Leverage in Run Game
Summary
Lukas Van Ness was a two sport star in high school, lettering in hockey and football before committing to Iowa. The Redshirt Sophomore saw little starting action in his career for Iowa, as the program gives strong favoritism to seniority. Despite not technically being a starter Van Ness got plenty of run logging 70+ pressures and 10+ sacks in his two year career.
Van Ness possesses a unique blend of size and athleticism at the EDGE position. He lit up the Combine by testing strongly across the board and looking fluid out in space during the on field drills. As a run defender he has the power to stand up lineman at the point of attack and sets a strong edge. His power combined with a strong first step burst allows him to make splash plays as a penetrator. Van Ness is able to use his length to read and react in the run game, as well as disrupt throwing lanes in the quick passing game. As a pass rusher primarily Van Ness wins with his superior physical tools. He shows good bend and great finishing ability. Primarily he wins with speed to power and the straight arm. Van Ness also flashes a strong bull rush and forklift move when he uses his power. During his time at Iowa, Van Ness won multiple hustle awards from his team. It shows up on tape where his relentless motor and pursuit generate hustle sacks.
Van Ness is largely a projection based on physical tools at this point. Iowa played him out of position a lot of the time by reducing him down to the outside shoulder of the guard. Van Ness does not play with the proper base or have enough power to live down inside on running downs. As a taller player he also is constantly struggling with leverage at the point of attack, something that is exposed more on the interior. Van Ness’ ability to reduce inside on occasion is a feather in his cap especially when used as a speed rusher on third down but asking him to spend a majority of his snaps down there is a disservice to his talent. As a pass rusher Van Ness lacks polish. If his initial move does not win he lacks the counters to win late. If he is not able to win with his superior athleticism his pass rush often stalls. The same hand work woes show up in the run game where he fails to deconstruct blocks even when he wins at the point of attack.
A large amount of Van Ness evaluation comes down to projection, something that was made more difficult by his usage rate and alignment in college. Fans of Van Ness will point to his elite physical tools and younger age (21 on draft night) as reasons to buy into his ceiling. While questions will always linger about his lack of polish and top end bend off the edge. Van Ness projects as a physically talented project with tons of upside. His best home at the next level should be on the outside shoulder of the tackle. Van Ness likely gets his name called on Day 1 due to his physical traits as a team tries to teach and develop the finer parts of his game.
Grade: 6.48 - Early Second Round Grade (Potential Starter)
Games Watched: Penn State (2021), Ohio State (2022), Michigan (2022)