Zach VanValkenburg Bio
Zach VanValkenburg, born on February 17, 1998, is an American professional football linebacker currently playing in the National Football League (NFL). He attended Hillsdale College before transferring to the University of Iowa and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 118 kilograms, VanValkenburg has built his career on a steady climb through collegiate and professional football.
Early Life and Background
VanValkenburg was born and raised in Zeeland, Michigan, a small community in the western part of the state. He attended Zeeland West High School, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete over several years of competition. As a junior, he earned all-conference honors, and as a senior, he served as team captain while recording 85 tackles, earning first-team all-state and all-conference recognition along with the Holland Sentinel Defensive Player of the Year award.
Beyond football, VanValkenburg was a four-year letterman in wrestling, earning all-state honors in that sport, and he also competed for four seasons on the track and field team. He was named to the Detroit Free Press Dream Team, reflecting his status as one of the top defensive prospects in the state during his senior year. These early experiences shaped his athletic foundation before he moved on to the college level.
Path to American Football
VanValkenburg declined scholarship offers from Holy Cross and Air Force to commit to Hillsdale College, a Division II program that allowed him to develop as a defensive player. After suffering an injury early in his true freshman season of 2016, he chose to redshirt and preserve a year of eligibility. As a second-year freshman in 2017, he posted 32 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and a blocked kick.
His breakout came in 2018, when he was named Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Defensive Lineman of the Year after recording 70 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. After earning his undergraduate degree in history, VanValkenburg graduated and transferred to the University of Iowa for his final two years of eligibility, ultimately completing a master’s degree in Eastern European Studies.
Zach VanValkenburg Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
VanValkenburg began his college career at Hillsdale, where he progressed from a redshirt freshman to one of the top defensive linemen in the G-MAC. His 2018 season established him as a dominant force at the Division II level, and his academic finish allowed him to pursue a higher level of competition. After reportedly emailing every coach in the country looking for a transfer destination, Iowa was one of only two programs to respond, and he joined the Hawkeyes as a walk-on without a scholarship.
In 2019, VanValkenburg spent his first season at Iowa as a backup to A. J. Epenesa and Chauncey Golston, both future NFL players. He appeared in 11 games and recorded six tackles while learning the defensive system and adjusting to Big Ten Conference football.
Iowa Breakthrough (2020–2021)
VanValkenburg was listed as a backup to John Waggoner to open the 2020 season, but an injury to Waggoner in the first week thrust him into a starting role. He started all eight games of the COVID-19-shortened season and finished with 30 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He also recovered four fumbles, tying for the national lead, and forced one fumble. He was recognized as a second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection by the league’s coaches and a fourth-team pick by Phil Steele.
After the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic, VanValkenburg returned in 2021 and started all 14 games, recording 58 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 15 tackles for loss. He earned the Hayden Fry Award as Iowa’s defensive most valuable player, was named second-team all-conference by both the coaches and the Associated Press, and was a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy. Across his six collegiate seasons, he played in 60 games with 48 starts, tallying 211 tackles, 42.5 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, and five forced fumbles.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2022–Present)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, VanValkenburg was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent. He was waived at final roster cuts on August 30, 2022, and released from the practice squad on September 6. On September 20, 2022, he signed with the practice squad of the Los Angeles Rams, beginning his association with the franchise.
VanValkenburg signed a reserve/futures contract on January 9, 2023, made the final roster, and debuted in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. He was waived on November 14, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad before signing another reserve/future contract on January 15, 2024. He was waived again on August 27, 2024, re-signed to the practice squad, and released on October 25, 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
VanValkenburg’s career has featured several turning points, including his quick promotion to starter at Iowa after an injury in 2020 and his Lott Trophy quarterfinalist recognition in 2021. His professional debut with the Rams in 2023 marked the realization of a long journey that began at a small Michigan high school and continued through Division II football and Big Ten Conference competition.
Zach VanValkenburg Career Highlights
VanValkenburg’s career is anchored by his collegiate accomplishments at Hillsdale and Iowa, where he earned G-MAC Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2018 and All-Big Ten Conference recognition in both 2020 and 2021. He finished his college career with 22 sacks and 42.5 tackles for loss across 60 games.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his conference honors, VanValkenburg was named a Detroit Free Press Dream Team member in high school, an all-state wrestler, and the Holland Sentinel Defensive Player of the Year. He earned the Hayden Fry Award at Iowa in 2021, recognizing him as the Hawkeyes’ top defensive player.
Zach VanValkenburg Family
Family Background and Personal Life
VanValkenburg was raised in Zeeland, Michigan, where his high school and athletic foundation were formed. Public details about his parents and family background are limited, and he has kept his personal life largely private as he has progressed through his football career.
2025 Season Outlook
VanValkenburg is scheduled to continue his professional career in 2025 after most recently spending time on the Los Angeles Rams practice squad in 2024. His combination of Big Ten starting experience and versatility as a linebacker and defensive end gives him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot. With the 2025 NFL calendar approaching, his next steps will depend on team needs and available opportunities across the league.