Post by GrizzlyBear on May 10, 2018 9:27:45 GMT -6
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Matt VandeBerg to tryout for the Bears at rookie minicamp
By Matt Eurich - May 9, 2018
Even when a player goes undrafted it does not mean their NFL dreams are completely dashed. For Iowa's Matt VandeBerg he is getting an opportunity to prove himself to the Chicago Bears this weekend. According to his Twitter account, VandeBerg will be participating in Chicago's rookie minicamp this upcoming weekend on a tryout basis. Chicago made seven selections in the draft late last month but have not released an official list of which undrafted players will be participating in the three-day event over the weekend. VandeBerg participated in the rookie minicamp of the New York Jets last week.
Listed as a two-star recruit with a 0.7845 composite score by 247Sports coming out of Brandon Valley High School in South Dakota, VandeBerg was part of the Class of 2013. He was listed as the 2,174th-best recruit in the country, 296th among all wide receivers and second from the state of South Dakota. He received some interest from Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin before receiving his lone offer from Iowa. Following a visit in early December, VandeBerg committed to the Hawkeyes and enrolled in August 2013.
As a true freshman he appeared in 11 games with two starts. He ended the season with eight catches for 59 yards. The following year he saw a larger role on offense, catching 14 passes for 256 yards with one touchdown. Then in his junior season in 2015 he had the best season of his collegiate career. In 14 games he caught 65 passes for 703 yards and scored four touchdowns. Hopes were high as he entered his senior season, but after catching 19 passes for 284 yards with three touchdowns he broke his foot in practice in September and missed the remainder of the year. He suffered another foot injury that winter before rejoining the team last season.
In his final year, VandeBerg caught 28 passes for 384 yards with two touchdowns. Last season he also saw some work as the punt returner, bringing back 14 punts for 75 yards. For his hard work and effort to get back onto the field, he was named the team's Comeback Player of the Year.
He was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine but measured in around 6'1" and 194 pounds. He ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash with a 4.04 shuttle time. Additionally, he posted a 37-inch vertical and a 9'9" broad jump. Making Chicago's roster, even during the rookie minicamp, will be difficult for the young wideout. In addition to having veterans Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Marlon Brown, Bennie Fowler, Kevin White and Josh Bellamy on the roster, Chicago also used two draft picks on Memphis' Anthony Miller and Georgia's Javon Wims.
VandeBerg has the benefit of already going through one rookie minicamp with the Jets, so he will have a better idea of what to expect this time around. It may be an uphill battle for him, but there is no doubt the Iowa Hawkeye will give his best effort to make a name for himself over the weekend.
Listed as a two-star recruit with a 0.7845 composite score by 247Sports coming out of Brandon Valley High School in South Dakota, VandeBerg was part of the Class of 2013. He was listed as the 2,174th-best recruit in the country, 296th among all wide receivers and second from the state of South Dakota. He received some interest from Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin before receiving his lone offer from Iowa. Following a visit in early December, VandeBerg committed to the Hawkeyes and enrolled in August 2013.
As a true freshman he appeared in 11 games with two starts. He ended the season with eight catches for 59 yards. The following year he saw a larger role on offense, catching 14 passes for 256 yards with one touchdown. Then in his junior season in 2015 he had the best season of his collegiate career. In 14 games he caught 65 passes for 703 yards and scored four touchdowns. Hopes were high as he entered his senior season, but after catching 19 passes for 284 yards with three touchdowns he broke his foot in practice in September and missed the remainder of the year. He suffered another foot injury that winter before rejoining the team last season.
In his final year, VandeBerg caught 28 passes for 384 yards with two touchdowns. Last season he also saw some work as the punt returner, bringing back 14 punts for 75 yards. For his hard work and effort to get back onto the field, he was named the team's Comeback Player of the Year.
He was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine but measured in around 6'1" and 194 pounds. He ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash with a 4.04 shuttle time. Additionally, he posted a 37-inch vertical and a 9'9" broad jump. Making Chicago's roster, even during the rookie minicamp, will be difficult for the young wideout. In addition to having veterans Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Marlon Brown, Bennie Fowler, Kevin White and Josh Bellamy on the roster, Chicago also used two draft picks on Memphis' Anthony Miller and Georgia's Javon Wims.
VandeBerg has the benefit of already going through one rookie minicamp with the Jets, so he will have a better idea of what to expect this time around. It may be an uphill battle for him, but there is no doubt the Iowa Hawkeye will give his best effort to make a name for himself over the weekend.
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hawkeye21 do you know anything about this guy?
