Lukas Van Ness Q&A
Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness took the podium to meet with the national media at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Ric’s One-Liner: Van Ness is a fluid, powerful athlete with immense potential, but he’s criminally underdeveloped in key areas of his game.
In this interview with Lukas Van Ness, a top pass rusher, he talks about his experience playing both inside and outside, what he learned at the University of Iowa, and his thoughts on C.J. Stroud. Van Ness also discusses his ability to play all over the defensive line and how he models his game after J.J. Watt. He mentions his excitement about meeting with the Chicago Bears, the team he grew up watching, and how he owes his success in blocking punts to the special teams coordinator at Iowa. Although leaving Iowa was a tough decision for him, Van Ness feels that it was the right one.
How many teams have you interviewed with?
I've interviewed with about 15 so far, I have another 10 tomorrow.
What separates you from other top pass rushers?
I have the ability to play all over the defensive line. As you know, last year I played defensive tackle. And then this year, I played a little bit more defensive end, but I believe I bring everything to the table in terms of playing the run and playing the pass and I I'll play wherever a coach needs me to play.
Who do you model your game after?
A guy I loved to watch on Sundays was J.J. Watt. Although he's not playing anymore, he was just a guy, I loved turning on the tape every Sunday, watching this game and trying to model myself after him.
What did you learn from that experience playing inside and how to apply it to the outside?
Everything happens a little faster inside. You've got to be better with your hands a little lower with your pad level. And it taught me all the fundamentals of playing good defensive line, and I think that really translated to my outside play. It helped me come play with good leverage, be physical and I attribute a lot of my play to my years before and playing inside.
So is there ever a point in your career where you're like, they’ve got to make me a starter?
I had two older classmen in front of me; that's just kind of the way the University of Iowa does things. They're always fair and consistent with everybody and regardless, I still had some of the higher snaps on the defensive line. And I just learned through this process that every time I step on the field, I have an opportunity to prove myself.
Was it a way to show you’re a team-first guy?
I was happy with the rotation and the organization that we had. I put full trust in Coach Parker and Coach Bell and put us out there. And, again, like I mentioned, every time I stepped on the field, it was just another opportunity to go play the game I love and it's another opportunity to prove myself.
What did you learn at Iowa?
At the University of Iowa, we played in a really pro-style defense. They're really based on fundamentals, you know, playing the game the right way. You have a responsibility to execute your responsibility. And even when I came into the University of Iowa as a freshman, I resonated with the program just because of the foundation, the culture that they had. You come in with a blue collar, you work hard, nothing's given to you, everything is earned and there's a lot of qualities and bring with me to the next level.
What would it mean for a guy like yourself to be thought of as a foundational piece for the team that you grew up watching?
I grew up a Bears fan, obviously being from the Chicago area, and I'd be super excited to meet with them and see what they have to offer.
What sort of feather in your cap is it to block punts, too?
I owe a lot of credit to Coach Woods, our special teams coordinator at the University of Iowa. They really stressed the importance of special teams and the impact that can make on the game. I loved being able to help the team in whatever way possible. And as you mentioned, I blocked a couple punts; I blocked two during Iowa State. And really, they just gave me the freedom to go rush the putter, stick my hands up and try to, you know, block as many punts as I could.
You left after your sophomore year. Was it a tough decision?
It was obviously a tough decision. I love the University of Iowa. I had a really good connection with my teammates. That's just the culture and the foundation. As I mentioned before, at that university, we have a really tight knit group. Our defense, my brothers and some of the guys I'm going to play with for the rest of my life. So, coming to the end of the season, I had a really tough decision to make with my family and my coaches. And although I felt like it was the right decision, I still do miss my time at the University of Iowa.
What did you learn from playing against guys like Paris Johnson and Dawand Jones?
There's a lot of really good competition in the Big Ten. I think that's what prepared me so well to play at the next level. You know, there were a lot of really good guys I went against. Every year we had to go against Northwestern. I played guys like Peter Skoronski. I played Peter growing up as well. I played him in high school. We trained together at the same facility. So, I know Peter really well, but I think playing against high-caliber players, it challenges me but it also prepares me to play against really high-caliber guys at the next level.
What are your thoughts on C.J. Stroud?
C.J. is a great kid. We're in the same agency. and I've had a little bit of back and forth conversation with him. Although I trained out in Los Angeles, and I was in the north location, he was down in Orange County so we didn't see each other too much. But he's got a lot of potential. I think he’s a super-talented quarterback. And, you know, coming into that Ohio State game, we knew we had a challenge for us. But I'm really excited to see what he can do at this next level.
What's it like for your friends and family back in Barrington just watching the draft process?
I'm the first one in my family that's had the opportunity to play at the next level in college, but also, to get this far. We're all just having a lot of fun with it. Obviously, my parents were proud of me, and I'm just really happy to be here.
Thoughts on Iowa LB Jack Campbell?
Jack Campbell was a great leader on our defense. He was the guy when I came in as a freshman, he took me under his wing, and showed me the ropes. He's a guy that's super humble. He works hard, a small-town Iowa kid, just your ideal Iowa Hawkeye. We will walk around together and a lot of people tend to mix us up; I think we'd look kind of similar. But again, he's a really hard worker, really great kid. He's made a great fit out of whatever team takes a chance on him.
What kind of hockey player were you?
I grew up playing hockey, I played all the way to my senior year, we actually had a pretty good team that made it to the Final Four at state but couldn't play due to COVID. We would have played in the Blackhawks' arena. But I think I attach hockey to a lot of my skills and my balance that I have today. Hockey requires a lot of agility. It's a hard sport to play. It's very physical. It's very demanding. And a lot of those attributes contribute to the player I am today on the football field.
What do you like to do outside of football?
I love to golf. Although I'm not the best golfer I think some of my hockey skills translate over a little bit. But I also love to fish, just love being outside. I love the outdoors.
How did you get the nickname Hercules?
That came about in an interview about a year ago with one of my defensive tackles, Noah Shannon. He kind of mentioned the name in an interview and it stuck and since then, I like to pride myself in the weight room. It's something I'd always love to do is improve your body and work hard. And it's kind of a name that stuck and it's been fun. We joke around with it. And I'm assuming it'll stick for a while to go.
I hope you liked the interview with Hercules.
Have a great day!
Draftnic Ric