Brad Van Pelt, linebacker (1973-83)
When the Giants selected Brad Van Pelt, a safety, in the second round out of Michigan State in 1973, they didn’t quite know what they had in him. They knew they had a superior athlete and competitor but didn’t find his niche as an outside linebacker until 1975 under assistant coach Marty Schottenheimer.
Van Pelt, along with Hall of Famer Harry Carson, were the linchpins of a staunch Giant defense during the Wliderness Years of the 1970s.
BVP was named to the Pro Bowl five times as was considered one of the best outside linebackers of his day.