(KFAN and the Minnesota Vikings) — Minnesota Vikings linebacker and Rock Valley native Andrew Van Ginkel has gone from a lightly recruited Northwest Iowa high school standout to an All-Pro NFL linebacker. Now entering his eighth NFL season, Van Ginkel says his approach to training camp includes not only improving his own game, but helping the younger players around him.
The 31-year-old former Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley standout is preparing for his third season with Minnesota. Van Ginkel earned second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors during his first season with the Vikings in 2024, but injuries complicated the start of his 2025 campaign.
As one of the veterans on Minnesota’s defense, Van Ginkel says he enters camp looking for specific areas where he can improve while also serving as a mentor.
“I think it comes down to, you know, for me personally, I’m trying to find that one or two things where I can improve. You know, it’s different techniques. You know, we got a new coach, Ryan Nielsen, and just his things that he’s teaching, I’m trying to apply that to my game, so I can take my game to the next level. And, you know, we got a bunch of young guys. So, you know, for me, I try to be that leader, try to mentor them and kind of lead them throughout the right way. And just to show them what it’s like to be a vet, what it’s like to, you know, just do your job at a high level.”
Van Ginkel Looking to Build Off Injury-Affected Season
Van Ginkel’s first season in Minnesota in 2024 included two interception returns for touchdowns and ultimately earned him Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro recognition. Last season began differently as he worked his way back from injuries.
Van Ginkel said it took time to regain the confidence and trust needed to return to his usual form.
“Last year I started off on the wrong foot. Obviously we’re dealing with injuries and, you know, working my way back, you know, building that confidence, that trust to go out there and play. And, you know, once the season kept progressing, I felt like I was kind of starting to get back into my form and be the player I am.”
Van Ginkel sees one area in particular where the Vikings defense needs to take a step forward in 2026.
“I think the big point of emphasis for us this year is stopping the run. You know, we had the most runs against us last year. And that’s something that we have to improve on. So you see a lot of the coaches emphasizing that and it’s what we need to get better at.”
A Defender’s View of Kyler Murray
There is also change on the other side of the ball for Minnesota.
Kyler Murray enters the season as the Vikings’ new starting quarterback. From Van Ginkel’s perspective as a defender, Murray’s combination of mobility and arm talent can create problems for opposing defenses.
“He’s a problem because, man, you got Jets (Justin Jefferson). You got to double him. And, you know, J.A. (Jordan Addison), he can take the top off the defense. Well, Hockenson, you know, he’s going to get these one-on-one routes underneath. And you take all that away, guess what? Your quarterback can scramble. So they have to have good pass rush lanes, and that’s hard to prepare for as a defense. And Kyler can throw a great ball. When he really sets his feet and trusts his throw, he can make some unbelievable throws.”
Van Ginkel said he is looking forward to seeing what the Vikings’ offense can do with Murray, pointing as well to Minnesota’s running backs and offensive line.
From BHRV Quarterback to NFL Linebacker
Long before Van Ginkel was trying to read NFL quarterbacks, he was playing the position himself.
Van Ginkel played quarterback and defensive back for Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley. His football journey eventually took him to the University of South Dakota, Iowa Western Community College and Wisconsin before the Miami Dolphins selected him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Van Ginkel joked that his quarterback career was quickly put to rest when he arrived at South Dakota. Still, he believes his time playing the position continues to help him as a defender.
“I have instincts for how they’re trying to manipulate guys, how they can set you up. You know, their eyes are bringing you to who they are, who they want to go to, you know, because they got to make a throw. They got to look to where they’re throwing. … That and just getting a feel for, you know, how they’re trying to high-low certain formations, where they’re trying to throw them on their breaks and stuff like that.”
Van Ginkel has accumulated 383 tackles and 35.5 sacks through his first seven NFL seasons, along with five interceptions and four defensive touchdowns.
Despite the individual accolades and a career that has taken him from Northwest Iowa to the NFL, there is one accomplishment Van Ginkel is still chasing with Minnesota: winning in the postseason.
Asked how badly he wants to win a playoff game, Van Ginkel made his goal clear.
“I need to. That’s priority number one.”
Asked if the Vikings can get it done, Van Ginkel responded:
“We’re going to do everything in our power.”
The Vikings kick off their preseason on Saturday with a noon game at the New York Giants.
Audio for this story is courtesy (with permission) of the Minnesota Vikings and KFAN 100.3 Minneapolis/St. Paul
