Van Fillinger

Van Fillinger
Utah Utes – No. 7
PositionDefensive end
ClassSenior
Personal information
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight265 lb (120 kg)
Career history
College
  • Utah (2020–present)
Bowl games
High schoolCorner Canyon (Draper, Utah)
Career highlights and awards

Van Fillinger is an American football defensive end for the Utah Utes.

Early life and high school

Fillinger attended Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah. He was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Texas Longhorns.[1][2] However, Fillinger flipped his commitment to play for the Utah Utes.[3][4]

Fillinger appeared in 19 games in his first two collegiate seasons in 2020 and 2021, recording 45 tackles with ten being for a loss, and five and a half sacks.[5][6][7] In 2022, he played in just eight games before suffering a season-ending injury, finishing with 18 tackles with five being for a loss, five sacks, and a forced fumble.[8] In 2023, Fillinger played in 11 games with eight starts for Utah, where he totaled 31 tackles with five being for a loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.[9][10] In week three of the 2024 season, he notched a sack and blocked a kick in a win over Baylor.[11] Mid-way through the 2024 season, Fillinger was added to the Lombardi Award watchlist.[12]

References

  1. ^ Suchomel, Jason (July 18, 2019). "Texas continues its recruiting hot streak with commit from Van Fillinger". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  2. ^ McDonald, Ryan (July 18, 2019). "Corner Canyon star DE Van Fillinger commits to Texas Longhorns". Deseret News. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Edward, James (December 18, 2019). "High school football: In-state's top recruits pledge commitment on Early Signing Day, including Van Fillinger, Nate Ritchie, Sione Fotu to Utah". Deseret News. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  4. ^ Allen, Trevor. "Corner Canyon 4-Star DE Van Fillinger Signs With Utah". KSL Sports. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  5. ^ "Van Fillinger". Sports Reference. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  6. ^ Newman, Josh (November 7, 2022). "Utah football's Van Fillinger ruled out for the season". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  7. ^ Greene, Dana. "Finally healthy, Van Fillinger primed for big season". ABC4.com. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  8. ^ Call, Jeff (November 7, 2022). "Utah's sacks leader is out for the season". Deseret News. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  9. ^ Preece, Brian. "60 In 60: #11 Utah's Van Fillinger (Defensive End)". KSL Sports. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  10. ^ Dann, Jared. "Defensive end Van Fillinger believes a Pac-12 Championship is the standard moving foward". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  11. ^ Coles, Joe (September 26, 2024). "Van Fillinger is showing what he can be when fully healthy". The Deseret News. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  12. ^ Bartle, Steve. "Utah's Van Fillinger Added To Lombardi Award Watchlist". KSL Sports. Retrieved November 10, 2024.