Big Board ranking: #13
Positional ranking: #3
Overview
Position: EDGE
College: Iowa
Class: Sophomore (RS)
Age: 21
Measurables
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 272 lbs.
Arm length: 34″
Hand size: 11″
Athletic testing
40-yard dash: 4.58 sec.
10-yard split: 1.64 sec.
Vertical jump: 31.0″
Broad jump: 106.0″
Bench press: 17 reps
3-cone drill: 7.02 sec.
Short shuttle: 4.32 sec.
Strengths
Prototype build with outstanding length. Speed jumps off the tape when he gets on the field. Scary combination of length and power that can be unlocked. Effective with both one- and two-armed power rushes. Experience lining up all across the defensive front. Great raw strength. Explosive hands to extend and discard blockers. Impressive stop/start ability at his size. Accurately engages with hands on the chest/shoulders of opponents. Advanced instincts and awareness. Tremendous burst for a bigger edge. Extremely quick first step when lined up on the interior. Showed a dominant bull rush when shaded inside. Great relentlessness and hustles to the action. Excellent pursuit as the backside defender. Doesn’t hesitate to float towards the ball in traffic. Fast crashing down inside on short yardage situations. Physical and aggressive wrapping up the quarterback. Very disruptive when lined up on the interior late versus Michigan (2022). Had two blocked punts versus Iowa State (2022).
Weaknesses
Lacks a developed repertoire as a pass rusher. Struggles with body control/coordination and balance. Too often driven to the ground. Reactive strength/anchor not as effective. Overall technique needs to be developed. Will drop his eyes at times. Has some side-to-side stiffness changing direction. Zero career college starts.
NFL comparison
Howie Long
Conclusion
Overall, Van Ness is a potential impact player on the edge with a rare package of traits and development path to become a star. His versatility and effectiveness on the interior should increase his value with the best fit being in a penetrating 4-3 front.