Andrew Van Ginkel Bio
Andrew Van Ginkel (born July 1, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and listed at 242 lb (110 kg), he plays as an outside linebacker and is known for his pass-rushing ability and coverage skills. After playing college football for the South Dakota Coyotes, Iowa Western Community College, and the Wisconsin Badgers, Van Ginkel was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round, 151st overall, of the 2019 NFL draft.
Following five seasons in Miami, Van Ginkel signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and quickly became a key contributor on defense. In his first year with the team, he earned Second-team All-Pro honors and was selected to the Pro Bowl, establishing himself as one of the league’s most productive linebackers.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Van Ginkel was born on July 1, 1995, in Rock Valley, Iowa, where he grew up and attended Rock Valley Community High School. At Rock Valley, he played football for the Nighthawks, a consolidated team shared with Boyden–Hull High School. He lined up at quarterback and defensive back during his high school years, gaining experience on both sides of the ball.
Following his senior season, Van Ginkel did not attend recruiting camps and did not draw significant attention from major college programs. His path to collegiate football was therefore unconventional, and he began his career at the University of South Dakota, later transferring to Iowa Western Community College before finishing his college career at the University of Wisconsin.
Path to Professional Football
Van Ginkel began his college career at the University of South Dakota, where he played defensive end. He redshirted his first year and then played one season, earning first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors as a freshman. After South Dakota head coach Joe Glenn retired, Van Ginkel transferred to Iowa Western Community College, where he continued as a defensive end.
He then moved to the University of Wisconsin, where he played outside linebacker for two seasons and was named Third-team All-Big Ten in 2018. His combination of size, athleticism, and pass-rushing production at Wisconsin helped him earn an invitation to the NFL, where he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins.
Andrew Van Ginkel Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Van Ginkel was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round, 151st overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. He was placed on injured reserve on September 6, 2019, before being designated for return on November 13, 2019. He was activated on November 20, 2019, and began contributing on defense and special teams late in his rookie year.
During the 2020 season, Van Ginkel emerged as a playmaker. On November 1, 2020, against the Los Angeles Rams, he recovered a fumble from Jared Goff and returned it 78 yards for a touchdown in a 28–17 win, marking the second-longest fumble return in Dolphins team history. Later that season against the Denver Broncos, he forced a fumble at the goal line, showing the disruptive ability that would become a hallmark of his career.
Miami Dolphins Tenure (2019–2023)
Over five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Van Ginkel developed into a reliable rotational pass rusher and coverage linebacker. He contributed as a situational defender and special teams player while gradually earning a larger defensive role. In 2023, he re-signed with the Dolphins on a one-year contract on March 23, 2023, continuing his role in the team’s defensive rotation.
His Dolphins tenure ended when he was placed on injured reserve on January 9, 2024, paving the way for his move in free agency. Across his Miami years, he built a reputation for creating turnovers and providing versatility as an edge defender and off-ball linebacker.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2024–Present)
On March 13, 2024, Andrew Van Ginkel signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. In his first game with the team on September 8 against the New York Giants, he recorded a sack and an interception, joining Kevin Williams and Harrison Smith as only the third Vikings player since 2000 to accomplish that feat in a season opener. He also scored a touchdown on a 10-yard interception return against Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, the Vikings’ first pick-six since Week 17 of the 2021 season.
In Week 5 against the New York Jets in London, Van Ginkel intercepted Aaron Rodgers and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown, his second pick-six as a Viking and third of his career. In Week 16, he recorded five tackles and two sacks in a 27–24 win over the Seattle Seahawks, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week. He was ranked 88th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025. On April 29, 2025, he signed a one-year contract extension worth $23 million with the Vikings.
Driving Style and Strengths
Van Ginkel is a versatile edge defender who excels at rushing the passer, dropping into zone coverage, and creating turnovers. His combination of length, instincts, and closing speed allows him to impact games in multiple phases, whether sacking quarterbacks, intercepting passes, or forcing fumbles. His consistent production has made him a central figure in the Vikings’ defensive game plan.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, the 78-yard fumble return touchdown against the Rams in 2020 stands out, as does his 63-yard pick-six against the Jets in London during 2024. His 2024 season brought Second-team All-Pro honors, a Pro Bowl selection, and an NFC Defensive Player of the Week award, cementing his status among the league’s top linebackers.
Andrew Van Ginkel Career Wins
Andrew Van Ginkel has recorded 35.5 career sacks, 383 total tackles, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, five interceptions, and four defensive touchdowns through the 2025 season. His production spans five seasons with the Miami Dolphins and a breakout 2024 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings Highlights
In his first season with the Minnesota Vikings, Van Ginkel posted a sack and an interception in his debut against the New York Giants, then added a second interception return touchdown against the New York Jets in London. He finished 2024 with strong overall production, earned Second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition, and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after a two-sack performance against the Seattle Seahawks.
Other Wins and Performances
Van Ginkel earned first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors as a freshman at the University of South Dakota and Third-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2018 at the University of Wisconsin, both of which highlighted his pre-NFL development as a disruptive edge defender.
Andrew Van Ginkel Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Andrew Van Ginkel grew up in Rock Valley, Iowa, and developed his football foundation in the small-town setting of Rock Valley Community High School. His early multi-position experience as a quarterback and defensive back helped shape his versatile skill set as a professional linebacker.
Personal Life
Andrew Van Ginkel is a Christian. He is married to Samantha Van Ginkel, and the couple has three sons.
2025 Season Performance
Andrew Van Ginkel enters the 2025 season as a central figure in the Minnesota Vikings’ defense, coming off a 2024 campaign that earned him Second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. He was ranked 88th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025, reflecting league-wide respect for his production. His contract extension on April 29, 2025, signals the team’s commitment to keeping him in the lineup.
Through the early portion of the 2025 season, Van Ginkel has continued his disruptive play with multiple interceptions, sacks, and defensive touchdowns, building on the momentum of his 2024 Pro Bowl year. His versatility as a rusher and coverage linebacker remains a key component of the Vikings’ defensive identity.
With the Vikings positioned as contenders in the NFC, Van Ginkel’s ability to generate turnovers and pressure quarterbacks will be central to their playoff outlook. His sustained production and veteran leadership provide a stabilizing presence on a defense aiming for a deep postseason run.
