James Vandenberg

This article is about the football player. For the professional wrestling manager, see James Mitchell (manager).

James Vandenberg
No. 16
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1989-11-24) November 24, 1989 (age 35)
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Keokuk (IA)
College:Iowa
Undrafted:2013
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • Third-team All-American
  • Iowa Class-3A Player of the Year

James Vandenberg (born November 24, 1989) is a former American football quarterback. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. He played college football at Iowa.

Early life

Vandenberg went to Keokuk High School in Keokuk, Iowa. While in high school, Vandenberg was the most prolific passer in Iowa high school history. He ranks sixth all-time nationally in single season completion percentage, and tenth nationally in career completion percentage. He holds 10 different Iowa high school passing records, including career touchdown passes and single season touchdown passes. In 2007, he led Keokuk to their first and only State Championship in football, winning the 3A title in a 42-7 blowout of Sioux City Heelan.

College recruiting information
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
James Vandenberg
QB 		Keokuk, Iowa Keokuk High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 4.80 Dec 7, 2007 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 50 (QB)   Rivals: -- (QB), 5 (IA)
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2008 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.

Vandenberg committed to the University of Iowa on December 7, 2007.[1] Vandenberg also had scholarship offers from the University of Nebraska, Northern Illinois University, and University of Northern Iowa.[2]

College career

After a year as a redshirt freshman, Vandenberg made his first career start for the Hawkeyes on November 14, 2009, against the Ohio State Buckeyes, stepping in for Ricky Stanzi who suffered a season-ending ankle injury the week before. In his first game as a starter, Vandenberg faced off against Terrelle Pryor of the Buckeyes in a game that determined the Big Ten Conference title. The Buckeyes won the game, 27–24, in overtime. Vandenberg led the Hawkeyes through the end of the regular season. The Hawkeyes finished with an 11–2 record and a spot in the Orange Bowl against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Passing statistics

Year Team Attempts Completions Completion % Yards TDs INT
2008 Iowa Redshirt
2009 Iowa 87 42 48.3% 470 2 5
2010 Iowa 8 5 62.5% 45 1 0
2011 Iowa 404 237 58.7% 3,022 25 7
2012 Iowa 389 223 57.3% 2,249 7 8
College totals 888 507 57.1% 5,786 35 20

Professional career

Vandenberg signed as an undrafted free agent for the Minnesota Vikings on April 27, 2013. Vandenberg was released by the Vikings on August 26, 2013 (along with 12 others) to get to a 75-man roster.[3]

References

  1. ^ "James Vandenberg". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  2. ^ "James Vandenberg". Scout.com. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  3. ^ Craig, Mark (August 26, 2013). "Vikings release 13 players". StarTribune.com. Star Tribune. Retrieved August 26, 2013.