Lukas Van Ness is the prototype build that the modern-day NFL team loves to add and slot along the defensive line. He has the strength to slide inside and stuff up some gaps, he has the speed to beat a pass rusher and get home on the quarterback, and he comes from an Iowa scheme where he understands the game of football at a high level.
But what makes Van Ness a future first-round pick in this year’s NFL draft? After all, he never technically started a single game in his time with the Hawkeyes. ESPN’s Matt Miller dove into the skills and talent that have Van Ness going so high in this upcoming draft.
Comp: George Karlaftis
Van Ness never started a game in college but wowed with his quickness and agility while playing defensive end for the Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-5, 272-pounder played only two seasons at Iowa but collected 13.5 sacks and 52 pressures as a part-time player. He’s a raw prospect, but it’s easy to get excited about his speed, length and power as a true 4-3 defensive end at the next level. Comparisons to Karlaftis (a 2022 first-rounder) have been made by more than one scout. – Miller, ESPN
The interesting part of ESPN’s thought for Van Ness is the comparison to former Big Ten member, Purdue’s George Karlaftis. He was a first round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs last year. At 6-foot-4, 263 pounds, Van Ness has about an inch and ten pounds on him. The two of them have an identical NFL Combine athleticism score of 78 and a prospect grade of 6.40.
In 27 career games with the Hawkeyes, Van Ness registered 71 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and one pass defensed.
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