Former Wisconsin Badgers standout Andrew Van Ginkel is one of four Minnesota Vikings players selected for the NFC Pro Bowl roster, and the 29-year-old outside linebacker was astonished to see his name on the list for the first time.
“It’s unbelievable; I can’t even express how I feel,” Van Ginkel told Andrew Krammer of the Minnesota Star Tribune. “It’s been a challenging year, recovering from a Lisfranc injury last offseason, joining a new team with completely new teammates, and adapting to a new system. It’s truly a dream come true.”
Having played for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2017 to 2018, Van Ginkel has started all 16 games in his first season with the Vikings and his sixth overall in the NFL. As he heads into Week 18 of the 2024 regular season, he boasts 46 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and five passes defended.
He was recognized as the NFC Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks, where he recorded five tackles, two sacks, and three quarterback hits.
In addition to Van Ginkel, fellow former Badgers TJ Watt, Zack Baun, and Jonathan Taylor have also been named to the Pro Bowl this season. Like Van Ginkel, Baun is an inaugural selection for the Pro Bowl, while both Taylor and Watt are previous Pro Bowl participants.
Provided that the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Steelers do not make significant playoff advances (the Indianapolis Colts have already been eliminated), all of them are expected to compete in the Pro Bowl in February.
