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University of Minnesota Athletics
VanDeSteeg Joins Ravens
4/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Former University of Minnesota defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg signed a free agent contract with the National Football League's Baltimore Ravens Sunday night.
VanDeSteeg, a native of Silver Lake, Minn., was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media last season. He also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the league's coaches following the 2008 campaign. VanDeSteeg was a two-time captain for the Gophers. He finished his career as the Gophers' all-time leader in career tackles for loss with a total of 43.5. He ranks fourth on Minnesota's career sack list with 21.5.
VanDeSteeg finished fourth in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation last season with 19.0 tackles for loss. His 10.5 sacks in 2008 were good enough to put him No. 3 in the Big Ten and No. 17 in the nation. VanDeSteeg recorded with 53 total tackles last season. He also forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble, blocked a kick and broke up one pass last season.
Playing perhaps his most dominant game as a Gopher, VanDeSteeg was named Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his performance vs. Illinois last season. Against the Illini, VanDeSteeg collected five total tackles, including three sacks. He forced a fumble and tallied a pass breakup. The forced fumble came on a sack with teammate Simoni Lawrence scooping up the loose ball and returning it for a touchdown. He also laid a hit on Illinois QB Juice Williams that forced an interception by Ryan Collado, which helped seal Minnesota's victory.
As a sophomore, VanDeSteeg earned second-team All-Big Ten honors, setting a Minnesota sophomore record with 10 sacks.
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